ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Operations are back to normal at Rochester General Hospital after a lockdown overnight that Rochester Police say happened because of a prank call.
Police say they responded to the hospital on Portland Avenue just after midnight over a call about a woman with a gun outside the hospital who was threatening to harm herself. News10NBC’s photojournalist saw RPD cruisers swarming the hospital’s parking lots and officers checking every floor of the parking garage. However, officers say they didn’t find anyone with a gun.
After an investigation, RPD determined that the call was a prank and that there was no threat to the hospital. RPD has not announced any arrests in the case.
Impact of the lockdown
During the lockdown, ambulances were briefly diverted, an RGH spokesperson said. However, the lockdown didn’t disrupt patient care at any point. The hospital says the lockdown was out of an abundance of caution. Here’s the statement:
“Rochester General Hospital briefly went into lockdown overnight while Rochester Regional Health Security and the Rochester Police Department investigated an alleged threat. Out of an abundance of caution, law enforcement and security personnel conducted a thorough search of the area. Police confirmed there was no threat to the hospital. At no time was there disruption to patient care, and all normal operations have resumed. We thank our patients, visitors, and team members for their cooperation and understanding during the investigation.”
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