BOWIE, Md. —
Allen Pond Park has been temporarily closed for the rest of Friday following police activity involving a large crowd, according to the City of Bowie.
City officials announced the closure Friday afternoon, citing the need for law enforcement to disperse a large gathering at the popular park. Bowie Police confirmed they were called to the area and decided to close the park to ensure the safety of all involved and allow officers to manage the situation.
The gates to Allen Pond Park have been locked and are expected to reopen Saturday.
As of now, officials have not confirmed the nature of the incident, but they have stated that there is no immediate threat to the surrounding community.
“We are actively investigating a situation within the park and have restricted access out of an abundance of caution,” a spokesperson for the Bowie Police Department said. “We ask the public to remain patient and avoid the area while our officers work.”
Residents in nearby neighborhoods reported hearing helicopters and sirens earlier in the day, adding to growing concern and social media chatter. Authorities have not commented on whether the response was tied to a criminal investigation, search effort, or other emergency.
City officials have yet to provide a timeline for when the park will reopen.
The Bowie Police Department has urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact their non-emergency line. More details are expected to be released as the investigation unfolds.
At this time, it’s unclear what prompted the large gathering or whether any arrests or citations were made. Police have not reported any injuries.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
