A misunderstanding caused the Old Town police investigation on Wednesday that triggered an alert from the University of Maine.
The university sent out an alert shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday, telling people to avoid a dirt turnaround in the area of Dufour Lane and Main Street near the Old Town-Orono line on Route 2.
Old Town police were there to investigate a potentially concerning object in a car, Sgt. Ryan Bailey said. A man with mental health issues was taken into protective custody by a local police department and said he had something in his car that police should be concerned about, Bailey said.
“Turned out it was a misunderstanding and it was deemed safe,” Bailey said.
UMaine sent the alert because of regulations under the federal Clery Act, which requires various reports related to crime on and around campus, said John Diamond, interim chief marketing and communications officer.
“Because of the nature of the potentially dangerous situation and its close proximity to campus, the university promptly notified students and employees,” Diamond said.
The road and area were cleared by 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to the alert.
