If emergency services issue a shelter-in-place instruction, remain indoors and follow their directions. If they order an evacuation, leave by the recommended route when it is safe to do so.
Avoid approaching the scene to take photographs or videos. Crowding around an emergency can obstruct ambulances, fire crews, and police vehicles. It can also expose bystanders to hazards they do not understand.
If you encounter an officer or emergency worker, follow their instructions rather than arguing about whether the restriction is necessary.
The absence of immediate details should not be treated as proof of a cover-up. It is better to wait for confirmed information than to spread an explanation that later turns out to be false.
- How to Tell Whether a Viral Police Warning Is Genuine
A headline saying that police are urging everyone to stay away can sound urgent, but the wording alone does not establish that the report is accurate.
Before sharing such a post, look for several basic details.