Alexandria, LA (10/23/2024) – On Tuesday afternoon, a high-speed chase through Alexandria alarmed residents, but the lack of communication from Alexandria authorities has left the public questioning their safety.
The chase, which was first spotted heading down North Bolton Avenue towards the north side, quickly escalated through various parts of the city. Witnesses reported seeing the pursuit on 4th Street, crossing Jackson Street toward Murray with lights and sirens, and later turning onto Broadway by the Food Mart.
UrbanCast reporters arrived at the scene and observed a large-scale police response, with officers, deputies, state troopers, the Alexandria Fire Department, an ambulance service, and a towing company securing the area across 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Streets. More than 30 police units were reported to be involved in the operation.
Initially, APD officers were focused on a house on 7th Street, repeatedly ordering suspects to surrender. After entering the house and finding no one, the officers relocated to 10th Street, where they repeated the same demands. As of this update, the situation remained active.
Despite the extensive police presence, the City of Alexandria has not authorized the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to issue any public safety warnings. This has raised concerns about the lack of communication with the public during the incident, especially given the uncertainty of whether this chase is connected to other violent crimes in the area.
Area Schools Placed on Lockdown
In response to the situation, Rapides Parish Schools placed Peabody Montessori, Peabody Magnet High School, and Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School on lockdown. A message sent to parents and guardians read:
“This message is to inform you that our school is currently on lockdown due to a high-speed chase in the area. We are working with local law enforcement and have secured our campuses. All students and staff are safe. We will communicate timely updates as they become available.”
UrbanCast reached out to City of Alexandria (Michael Caffery with Mayor’s Office) for a statement regarding the incident and the absence of public alerts. As of this article, we have not received any responses from the City.
As the situation continues to unfold, the high-speed chase through Alexandria highlights the critical need for better communication from local authorities. UrbanCast will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Related Article: High-Speed Chase in Alexandria Prompts School Lockdowns and Heavy Police Response
