Over the weekend, an unspecified report that resulted in heavy police presence in a Courtenay neighbourhood ended up being a swatting incident.
Swatting is when someone makes a prank call to emergency responders in an attempt to divert law enforcement.
Comox Valley RCMP does not specify what the call alleged was occurring, but it resulted in a “coordinated and extensive” police response to the 2700 block of Conrad Road on Sunday.
“Police quickly determined that there was no truth to the allegations made in the initial report and that this was a swatting incident,” RCMP said in an email to CHEK.
“The consequences of swatting extend beyond the immediate disruption caused to law enforcement and the community. These incidents divert vital resources away from genuine emergencies; and as such, this matter is still under active investigation to determine where the call came from and who is responsible.”
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.
Laura Brougham
