Barrie police officers and tactical units remain on the scene of a standoff involving a "person in crisis" near the intersection of Mapleview Drive East and Yonge Street in city’s south end as of 2 p.m. today, approaching almost 24 hours after the initial call.
The heavy police presence near the Barrie South GO station has entered its 21st hour, but officials have remain tight-lipped about the circumstances.
According to an officer at the scene late Monday night, the incident began when they were called to respond at 5 p.m. Dec. 11.
“It will take as long as it takes, with the primary focus being the safety of the community being considered at all times, the individual and the officers that are there on the ground dealing with it," Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday earlier today.
Several road closures remain in place in the St. Paul's area. GO train service in and out of Barrie is also being affected due to the ongoing investigation.
Trains are running out of the Allandale Waterfront GO station and will continue to bypass Barrie South GO due to the active police investigation.
“We have the appropriate resources there to hopefully bring this to a peaceful resolution,” Leon said. “There is very little we can say due to the ongoing nature of what is taking place.”
A Peel Regional Police vehicle was seen travelling east on Mapleview Drive east toward the scene on Tuesday morning.
When asked if Peel officers were on-site to relieve Barrie officers during this extended ordeal, Leon would not divulge many details.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we’re certainly utilizing a number of resources which are available to us," he said.
What led to the incident or if any weapons are involved remains unclear.
Police, including tactical officers, appeared to be focused on the area around St. Paul's Anglican Church, near the GO train tracks.
Viewing the scene from an elevated vantage point, a BarrieToday reporter could see a Barrie police command vehicle parked in a lot nearby, on Yonge Street, in the area of the Scotiabank and Mr. Lube.
Police cars also appear to be parked strategically around the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, near the GO train tracks.
The precise area of the standoff appears to be on the west side of the church, but the view was obstructed by the church building.
No other details have been released.
BarrieToday will have more information as it becomes available.
