Chicago

Test Alert of CPD Activity Was Sent Publicly ‘In Error' by Office of Emergency Management

The alert was mistakenly sent at 3:36 p.m. to phones within a one-mile radius of Guaranteed Rate Field during a routine weekly test of the system, according to OEMC spokeswoman Melissa Stratton

A phone alert regarding police activity on the South Side was sent in error Monday afternoon by the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. 

The alert was mistakenly sent at 3:36 p.m. to phones within a one-mile radius of Guaranteed Rate Field during a routine weekly test of the system, according to OEMC spokeswoman Melissa Stratton. She said the alert was meant to be internal. 

The alert read: “Test: CPD activity in your area. Remain indoors until further notice. Chicago OEMC.” 

Another alert was sent by OEMC about 5 p.m. to correct the previous one. 

The alert read: “Disregard previous alert message re: CPD activity in area. This was a test sent in error.” 

Stratton said that Chicago’s dispatch centers were immediately warned that the initial alert was a test and not a bona fide event. 

OEMC tweeted an apology:

“We apologize for the confusion regarding an earlier *test* alert message regarding CPD activity in the area, which was sent in error. Please disregard the message,” OEMC said in the tweet.

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