Anything that isn't "we've heard rumors of armed checkpoints", which is the best the P.D. could come up with.
Certainly someone, anyone, a reporter, someone with a cell phone, has recorded footage of said checkpoints in operation....not just pictures of one dork standing in the street with a rifle.
Well, if there are armed "checkpoints," do you suppose that the mob might not want any reporters within range of seeing them making their demands, including demands of money from the local businesses and residents?