‘Not a prank’: Doylestown swatting hoax triggers massive response

🚨A late-night 'critical incident' call triggered a major police response

🚨Central Bucks Regional police determined the high-priority emergency was a hoax

🚨Proposed legislation would require offenders to repay response costs.

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, Pa. — A "high priority emergency call" about a "critical" incident that drew a large police response Monday night turned out to be a fake swatting call.

Central Bucks Regional police got the call from the Clear Springs Court section of Doylestown Borough around 10:10 p.m and began communications with the residents of the targeted home. After making a "tactical assessment" of the situation it was determined to be a swatting incident.

Swatting incidents are intended to bring a massive, armed police response.

Clear Springs Court is located less than a mile from the Bucks County Justice Center just off North Main Street.

"Swatting is not a prank. it is a serious criminal act that endangers our community and our first responders. These incidents divert critical resources away from legitimate emergencies and cause unnecessary trauma to innocent residents," the department said in a statement.

Pennsylvania legislation would make swatting a felony

Following a swatting incident at Villanova University in August Pa. Rep. Craig Williams, R-Delaware/Chester, introduced legislation  that would make swatting a felony. The second bill would require those convicted of swatting to reimburse the state, municipalities and emergency responders for the full cost of their response, including personnel time, prosecution and equipment.

“These bills reflect a simple principle: if you terrorize our community with false calls of active violence, you will be punished,” Williams said in a statement.

The bills were referred to the judiciary committee.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom