BARRETT TOWNSHIP – The sight of tactical trucks, lines of police cruisers and helicopters hovering overhead has become the new norm in the Poconos as police continue to search for Eric Frein.
According to an emailed statement, state police are urging about 7,000 residents who live in Barrett and Price townships to stay in their homes until further notice.
“Due to the violent nature of his crimes, extreme precautionary measures are being taken. The PA State Police are very concerned for the safety of the community so we are continuing to ask people to shelter in place,” the statement said.
At a roadblock along Route 447, Joe Ksiaskiewicz told Newswatch 16 that he is separated from his daughter and dog, who have been told to “shelter in place” inside their home on Bear Town Road.
“We got police from all over, different states and all. So I’m really happy that they’re going to, you know, hunt this guy down and get him out of our neighborhood,” said Ksiaskiewicz. “I think the whole county is going to be relieved. The whole country probably because you can’t have people like this running around.”
An emergency shelter was set up Friday night at the Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Company, but volunteers said some people had to sleep on metal folding chairs or in their cars because they do not have any cots.
“You expect people to be put out of their homes from flooding and snow and trees down, but nothing like this,” said Fire Chief Grover Cleveland.
Several stores in the Poconos shut down on Saturday because of the police activity, including a CVS Pharmacy and Family Dollar in the Mountainhome area.
Stay with Newswatch 16 and WNEP.com for the latest on this developing story.