Following a police investigation that found information in a report of a potential serious incident in Quispamsis was false and consistent with “swatting,” Kennebecasis Police Force says criminal charges may be laid once the investigation is complete.
In an interview with Acadia Broadcasting, Kennebecasis police media officer Sgt. Dylan Lyston said that, as the investigation is ongoing, police are still determining what charges apply to this incident, but there will be consequences for the person who provided the false information.
“As the Criminal Code goes, reporting a crime, or an incident that has not occurred, that is occurring, especially to the magnitude that it was reported yesterday, will constitute a pretty serious charge,” he said.
According to a press release, on Sunday at around 3:40 p.m., officers responded to a report of a serious incident at a residence in the Colton Brook Road area in Quispamsis.
Police said the initial information indicated there was a potential serious threat at the residence, resulting in a significant police response.
Upon further investigation, officials discovered the information provided was false, and the incident was consistent with what they call “swatting.” That’s when police receive false information to prompt a large emergency response.
Lyston said he couldn’t disclose how many officers were sent to the residence, but said the alleged threat was serious enough to have a significant amount, if not everyone available that day, respond to the call.
“We are a smaller force in the province, but even if you are dealing with a bigger force, you are still tying significant resources just on the patrol level, and that is concerning itself,” he said.
He explained that, depending on the magnitude of the allegations, special units can also be deployed.
Lyston said swatting incidents are very uncommon for the area, with this one being the first one in several years.
He added that swatting not only ties up immediate police resources but can also put residents and police officers at risk on the road, as they are deploying units at a fast pace.
“This isn’t an innocent thing, this isn’t something that is a joke or is something funny, for somebody else’s enjoyment or entertainment,” he said. “We have men and women in the police force attending serious allegations, where we are going quickly, light the sirens, we are traveling through the community that we work in, and so our officers are at higher risk in that situation, so it’s the public at large. It puts a lot of people at risk for an unnecessary reason.”
Police said there was no threat to the public and no ongoing risk to residents.
They are asking anyone with information that could help further the investigation to contact the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force at 506-847-6300 or Crimestoppers.
