Media Release, "Swatting" Incident on East Street

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 13, 2019

Franklin, Massachusetts:         On December 13^th, 2019 at approximately 2:30pm the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC), which serves as the regional dispatch center for the Towns of Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Plainville received a call reporting an individual was being held hostage in an apartment on East Street in the Town of Franklin. The caller further indicated that he was armed, and prepared for a law enforcement response.

Franklin Police patrol officers and detectives responded to the area and established a perimeter and residents of the surrounding buildings and apartments were escorted from the area. After safely removing neighbors, officers successfully made entry to the apartment and determined that no threat existed. No persons were located in the apartment in question.

Several communities including the Towns of Wakefield and Newburyport have also received similar reports in recent weeks. These types of calls are often referred to as “swatting”, where a caller attempts to invoke a large police response to an unsuspecting person or address.

Deputy Chief of Police James Mill stated “these calls needlessly put people at risk, and tie up police resources which may be needed for true emergencies.” Mill further stated “this investigation is just beginning, and more will be done to attempt to uncover the person responsible. I am proud of the professional response by all the members of the Franklin Police Department who brought this situation quickly under control, and to a safe ending.”

The incident was concluded at approximately 3:30pm, and all surrounding streets which had been closed were reopened. Residents in the area were advised of what had transpired, and that they could safely return to their residences.