A heavy police response was dispatched after an alarm was activated inside the public library in McHenry warning about an armed person Wednesday afternoon.
The McHenry Police Department responded around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to the McHenry Public Library District, 809 North Front Street in McHenry, for a report of a threat alarm activated.
The McHenry Police Department said an alarm was activated inside the library warning about an armed person.
Staff at the library said they were told to lock themselves in a room after an announcement was made about an armed subject in the building.
People were evacuated from the library, with some hiding in nearby tall weeds for cover.
The library is equipped with a button to activate the alarm in case of emergency.
The police department said officers responded quickly and determined the alarm was accidental and there was no issue.
Police said they have been receiving numerous calls with questions pertaining to the incident.
“Please note, there is not [an] emergency or armed subject at the library. This was an accidental activation and there is no threat to the public,” the department said in a statement.
“Our officers responded in a safe and quick manner, and determined this was an accidental/false alarm. Again, there is no threat to the public or surrounding neighborhoods,” the department added.