Chief Duval: ‘No Imminent Threat’ to Concord

There is limited information available about the non-public Concord City Council meeting on April 19, but Concord Police Chief John Duval said in an email yesterday that the community is not in any danger.

Duval offered limited comment about the meeting, which was put together by City Manager Tom Aspell, and attended by a number of city councilors, Duval, Fire Chief Dan Andrus, Deputy City Manager Carlos Baia, and Deputy City Solicitor Danielle Pacik.

“I discussed emergency operations within the city,” Duval said. “The police are conducting a criminal investigation. There is no imminent threat to citizens and the investigation is ongoing.”

Reporters also showed up to the meeting but were not allowed in.

The non-public session provision of state law, 91-A, allows councilors and officials to meet in private for sensitive matters like personnel meetings, union negotiations, or property sale discussions. 

The provision posted on the city's website, RSA 91-A:3, has two provisions that are allowed for security issues: (g) Consideration of security-related issues bearing on the immediate safety of security personnel or inmates at the county correctional facilities by county correctional superintendents or their designees; and (i) Consideration of matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of emergency functions, including training to carry out such functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life.

Police are also allowed to hold information about open criminal investigations from the public and the press, but records can later be requested from police in writing. 

Neither councilors nor officials offered comment after the meeting.