Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is investigating a swatting incident that occurred Tuesday night in Doylestown, where false emergency reports triggered a large police response. Central Bucks Regional Police Department responded shortly after 10 p.m. March 2 to a ‘high priority’ emergency call for a ‘critical incident’ at Clear Springs Court, according to a post on Crimewatch.

Swatting: A Serious Criminal Act

Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter and initiated emergency protocols. Following a tactical assessment and communication with the residents of the targeted home, it was determined that the report was a false report intended to trigger a massive, armed police response, according to the post.

‘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,’ police said in a release.

Swatting involves making a hoax call to law enforcement to intentionally cause a large response from emergency personnel. It can be targeted at a specific individual or something specific. Often, those who facilitate swatting hoaxes use technology to make it appear as if the call is coming from a victim’s phone. Often the real phone number is hidden.

It may also be done to random targets, including schools and government buildings, in waves. They are often done to disrupt school or cause fear.

Previous Swatting Incidents in Bucks County

Similar swatting hoaxes in Bucks County have previously led to criminal charges against those responsible. In December a juvenile was charged in connection to a ‘swatting’ incident in October that put Council Rock South High School on lockdown.

Last August Villanova University had two false active shooter reports in a week and West Chester University had one that triggered a massive police response. No one has been charged in the Villanova incidents.

Swatting has been on the FBI’s radar since at least 2008, but its origins appear to stem from online communities associated with gamers or hackers, according to the ADL.

New Jersey toughened its false reporting laws in 2015 to combat a rise in swatting incidents. Pennsylvania is considering enhancing penalties and directly naming swatting in its laws against false reporting.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is expected to announce further details about the investigation in the coming days. Officials have emphasized the importance of taking swatting seriously, noting that the consequences can be severe for both the victims and the emergency responders.

‘We are committed to ensuring that those responsible for these incidents are held accountable,’ said a spokesperson for the DA’s office. ‘This is not a harmless prank—it can have life-threatening consequences.’

The incident in Doylestown is the latest in a series of swatting cases that have raised concerns about public safety and the misuse of emergency response systems. Local officials are urging residents to report any suspicious activity and to be vigilant about the potential for such threats.

As the investigation continues, the DA’s office is working closely with the Central Bucks Regional Police Department to determine the full scope of the incident and identify those responsible.