Police Find Protected Bats in Phoenix Garage
Federally protected migratory bats were discovered on the seventh floor of the Plaza parking garage while crews worked on a water incident.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Phoenix police found federally protected migratory bats on the 7th floor of the Plaza parking garage during efforts to mitigate a water incident at the site. The garage is detached from the Police Headquarters Tower, and the discovery had no bearing on the temporary closure of headquarters due to a water leak.
Why it matters
Because the bats are federally protected, their presence can affect how the site is handled and what steps are required before any work proceeds. A specialized vendor has been contacted to assist with next steps.
Police took no immediate enforcement action regarding the bats, and a specialized vendor has been contacted to advise on next steps. The extent of the bat population and the timeline for resolving the matter were not specified.
The players
Phoenix Police Department
The municipal police agency responsible for public safety in Phoenix, Arizona, which discovered the bats during garage work and operates the Police Headquarters Tower.
The details
Crews were addressing a water incident at the Plaza parking garage when they found the federally protected migratory bats on the seventh floor. Police headquarters was temporarily closed due to a separate water leak, but the bat discovery did not affect the vacating or re-occupancy of the building.
Timeline
Phoenix police headquarters was temporarily closed due to a water leak; the date of closure was not specified.
The bat discovery was reported in an article published on November 9, 2026.
Legal Context
Federal protections for migratory wildlife, including bats, can constrain how municipal facilities handle infestations or structural work. Local agencies must coordinate with wildlife requirements when maintenance intersects with protected species habitat.
Residents and employees who use the Plaza parking garage may face access limits while the bats are assessed and any removal work is coordinated. Police headquarters has been temporarily closed because of a water leak, which may affect visitors seeking in-person services.
The takeaway
Federal wildlife protections can apply even inside city-owned buildings, so facility work that uncovers protected species requires coordination before anything proceeds. Readers with business at the Plaza garage or police headquarters should check for updates on access.
Further reading
For more on how local agencies handle incidents like this, see Phoenix Law Enforcement coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
