Halifax Regional Police have blocked off a section of Pinecrest Drive in Dartmouth for what they are calling an active police operation.

Officers have cordoned off the area of road between Brule Street and Crystal Drive.

They surrounded a red brick apartment building on Pinecrest around 12:30 p.m.

Officers from both Halifax police and the RCMP were on the scene.

Neighbours tell CTV News that they were told by police not to leave their building.

The emergency response team arrived and entered the building equipped with battering rams and long guns.

The situation unfolded just metres away from the Highfield bus terminal, Dartmouth North Community Centre and Forsyth Education Centre.

It's also near the scene of where recent homicide victim Rickey Walker was shot and killed on Sept. 1.

Halifax Regional Police say they are currently conducting the operation, but would not be issuing further updates at this time.

Police are urging residents to avoid the area until the operation is complete.