Boca Raton's Police Chief May Leave His Post For The School District

Boca Raton Police Chief Dan Alexander

As Boca Raton Police continue to look into what caused a panic at the Town Center Mall on Sunday, the department's leader is looking to leave his post for one with the Palm Beach County School District.

The school board will vote Wednesday on whether to appoint Chief Dan Alexander as Director of School Police, a new position designed to manage a force that's on its way to doubling in size in the wake of the Parkland shooting.

More than 100 school resource officers have been hired over the past year to meet the requirement of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act.

Alexander would report to School Police Chief Frank Kitzerow and his responsibilities would include developing and implementing the district's security plan and coordinating with other local governments at a salary between $100,000 and $156,000 a year.

As for the investigation into the Town Center incident, where police were initially called to the scene for reports of shots fired, a review of security camera footage shows no evidence of gunfire in the mall.

Officials say a loud noise in the food court caused some to think it was gunshots and panic ensued. They are now looking into what the noise was and whether it was caused on purpose.

One man had to be taken to the hospital after he hit his head on a door in a rush to get out of the mall.

Things returned to normal at Town Center on Monday.

Photo: Boca Raton Police Dept.


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