According to Mid-Hudson News, POUGHKEEPSIE – The New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team (URT) divers are still working at the foot of Main Street in Poughkeepsie at Waryas Park. The divers, primarily from Troop F in Orange County, have been searching the Poughkeepsie waterfront in Poughkeepsie since Friday.
Mid-Hudson News inquiries regarding the road closure at John Flowers Circle at the bottom of Main Street have been answered with conflicting stories from the troopers. Originally the presence of the divers in and around the river’s edge was declared a “training exercise.” When pressed about the unusual closure of lower Main Street, the State Police said the “training” involved K9 units and the road was closed as a precaution.
The state police, after several inquiries, corrected their earlier statement on Friday evening, saying “The original explanation was incorrect. “The New York State Police apologize for the confusion in Poughkeepsie on Friday afternoon.” The Troop’s spokesperson added, “The waterfront and underwater search conducted in Poughkeepsie is part of an ongoing investigation conducted by various divisions of our agency.” said Troop F Public Information Officer Steven Nevel. “There is no threat to the public associated with the investigation.”
Poughkeepsie residents noted that troopers had the park closed again on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with divers in the water but they declined to comment on the nature of the investigation. A Poughkeepsie resident who visits the park daily said on Monday, “I have seen these searches before. They never close the road and spend several days here. They’re not telling the truth.”