School Secured After Man Seen Hunting With Dogs

A man hunting with his dogs led to a police response near a Spring-Ford school on Thursday afternoon.

The 70-year-old Spring City man was hunting legally and not on the property of the Spring-Ford Intermediate School when police interviewed him, according to Sgt. Robert Solorio of the Upper Providence Police.

According to an email sent to parents by the Spring-Ford Area School District, school officials received a report at about 12:35 p.m. of a hunter walking on the north side of Route 422, adjacent to the school.

"Immediately, the police, the school principal, and our security were informed of the situation.  Any students out for recess were quickly returned to their classrooms," the district's email said.

The man was carrying a shotgun, wearing orange hunter's clothing, and accompanied by his four beagles when school security located him, Solorio said. No charges will be filed.

The school district said that neither students nor staff were ever in danger.

Earlier story and updates below.

Update 3:25pm:

Sergeant Robert Solorio from the Upper Providence Police Department confirmed that police located a 70-year-old Spring City man in a wooded area in the school's vicinity. After police interviewed him, it was determined he was hunting legally. He was dressed in orange hunting gear and accompanied by four beagles. Police said the man was not on school property. No charges will be filed. 

Earlier:

A "hunter" walking along the side of Route 422 near the Spring-Ford School District caused a police response early Thursday afternoon, the school district said in a notification sent to parents via email.

The incident reportedly took place at about 12:35 p.m.

"A phone call was received by the District Office that a hunter was seen walking on the 5th-7th Grade side of Route 422," the district's statement said.

Police and school faculty were notified and students who were at outdoor recess were brought inside, the district said.

The school district said that the "gentleman" was located and the situation was being handled by Upper Providence Township Police.

Reached by telephone, a representative of the Upper Providence Police Department who would only identify herself as "Kathy" declined to confirm whether an individual was in custody, whether police had located a "hunter" near the school, or whether any charges would be filed.

"At no time were the students or staff in any danger," the district said.