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Dear Parents, Friends, Alumni, and Community Members,

he Division of Student Life and Mission and the ÐßÐßÊÓƵUniversity Police Department continues to supervise the ongoing safety of the ÐßÐßÊÓƵUniversity campus. On the morning of Sabbath, October 5th, during  ÐßÐßÊÓƵLive, a situation unfolded which prompted immediate action from our ÐßÐßÊÓƵUniversity Police Department team and local Huntsville law enforcement.

Incident Summary:

During the 11:00 a.m. ÐßÐßÊÓƵLive worship service in Ashby Auditorium, ÐßÐßÊÓƵUniversity Police Department (OUPD) was alerted to the presence of two strangers seen on the grounds of ÐßÐßÊÓƵAdventist Academy.  They were reportedly walking towards the field behind ÐßÐßÊÓƵAcademy. Concern was raised that these individuals might be armed.  One employee eventually forwarded pictures of the two unknown men to Academy and University administrators.

Report Response Actions:

1. Rapid Deployment: OUPD, under the leadership of Police Chief Jack Fort, responded swiftly. Captain Staples, Officer Sanders, and three units from the Huntsville Police Department arrived within 5-10 minutes of notification.
2. Area Search: The officers conducted a thorough check of ÐßÐßÊÓƵAcademy and then deployed into the surrounding woods using the OUPD Police Utility Task Vehicle (UTV). The search continued for 40 minutes.
3. Safety Assurance: Despite the search efforts, the individuals in question were not located, and no evidence was found confirming that they were armed.

ÐßÐßÊÓƵUniversity Police Chief, Jack Fort conveyed that no immediate threat was found during this investigation, and all measures were taken to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Continued Safety Measures:

OUPD remains committed to maintaining a safe environment for everyone on our campus. The following actions are in place to ensure the highest level of security:

• Increased Patrols: OUPD will continue to maintain increased vigilance and patrols around the campus and its perimeter.
• Increased Collaboration with Local Authorities: OUPD’s partnership agreements with the Huntsville Police Department remain strong, ensuring a coordinated response to any potential threats.
• Community Awareness: We encourage all on and off campus to remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities to OUPD immediately.