HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The feds are now involved in what is being described as a “credible” security threat that postponed a scheduled community forum on police relations last week.
Holland Public Safety Chief Matt Messer confirmed to the “Holland Sentinel” that an investigation by US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is underway into the incident that led organizers of an open discussion about race and police relations to call off a scheduled July 13th meeting at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Holland’s building on Holland’s North Side. Police was informed of the threat the day before, which led to the original event being called off and an alternative meeting at Maple Avenue Ministries without police or civic leaders in attendance on the 13th.
No further details into the investigation have been disclosed, although the newspaper attributes remarks by Public Safety Captain Keith Mulder made last week that the threat involved multiple individuals. Holland Mayor Nancy DeBoer says that, once this probe is completed, another forum involving all stakeholders in police-community relations will be organized.
