PORT ARTHUR, Texas —
If you're in the Groves-Port Arthur area near the old Taft Elementary campus and notice a lot of law enforcement and possibly what may sound like gunfire or explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday, don't worry, it's just a training exercise.
Port Arthur Police put out a notice Tuesday morning via the Southeast Texas Alerting Network, or STAN, letting residents in the area know about the training exercise.
The Texas Department of Public Safety's Texas Ranger Special Operations Group is conducting training at the former Taft Elementary School campus at 2500 Taft Ave, according to the alert from the STAN.
During the training, which is taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2 and 3, 2024, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., residents may hear loud noises including helicopters.
Some explosions and bangs may be heard along with simulated gunfire sounds the alert said.
Southeast Texas law enforcement officers are aware and will be at the training sessions.
Police in Groves used the old campus for training in January 2024 according to file stories.
Taft Elementary closed at the end of the 2022-2023 school year and the students moved to a new campus for the 2023-2024 school year according to file stories.
The old campus was turned over to Jefferson County Drainage District Seven.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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