JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2015-02-10
From: Erann Kalwara - JPD PIO
Case or Incident: #
On February 9th at about 8:24pm JPD received a call from a citizen reporting an object floating in the Gastineau Channel near the Merchant?s Wharf building. The object appeared to be shaped like a human body with legs, a torso and head.
A JPD officer responded to the area and was unable to ascertain the identity of the object due to the level of darkness and the distance it had floated from shore. The U.S. Coast Guard was contacted for assistance in retrieving the body-shaped object. CCFR was dispatched as a precaution.
The object moved through the ocean from 50 to 200 yards away from shore. At about 9:09pm the Coast Guard contacted the object and was able to determine that it was not a human body. The object was made of cardboard, tape and plastic. The shape resembled a body with legs, feet, arms, hands, and a torso.
JPD is grateful that no one was injured in this incident and cautions the public about creating pranks that can generate extensive public safety response and unnecessary use of resources.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.