Brian Eason

brian.eason@indystar.com

GREENWOOD – The Federal Bureau of Investigation will hold a mock terrorism exercise with 11 state and local public safety agencies at the Greenwood Park Mall this evening.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department this afternoon posted a notice to Facebook warning residents to steer clear of the training exercise, which runs from 6 p.m. to midnight at 1251 U.S. 31 N.

“During this time you will see large amount of emergency equipment and personnel,” IMPD officials wrote. “This exercise is not open to the public. Please do not be alarmed by what you see.”

The exercise, known as the Indianapolis Complex Terrorist Attack Mall Scenario Full Scale Exercise (or #INDYMALLEX), is a training scenario designed to evaluate how law enforcement and emergency services would respond to a terrorist attack.

The FBI this year has held other such scenarios around the country, with the exercise in Greenwood considered a “capstone” session in the series.

The exercise starts after most of the mall is closed, though some businesses and the parking lot will remain open, according to IMPD. The areas included in the exercise will be blocked off.

The following agencies will participate, according to a news release: the FBI, mall owners Simon Property Group, Indiana State Police, Indianapolis Department of Homeland Security, IMPD, Greenwood Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Greenwood Fire Department, Indianapolis EMS, The MESH Coalition, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana National Guard.

Call Star reporter Brian Eason at (317) 444-6129. Follow him on Twitter: @brianeason.