Bensalem Police Offer New Online Reporting For Non Emergency Incidents



by Alex Lloyd Gross

Police in Bensalem Bucks County now have an online system where citizens can file police reports for non emergency incidents.  This includes

Thefts (less than $2000) ,Vandalism (less than $2000) Harassment via Communications Lost Property Abandoned Autos Parking Complaints Animal Complaints(Barking Dogs, ) Child Custody Reports.

When a citizen files a report, they will be given a report number. An officer can contact them later if requested.
Crimes in progress, auto accidents with significant  property damage or injury should be reported to 911 immediately.
“People have started to use this form,” said Deputy Director of Public Safety William McVey. The form can be found here
WARNING: Filing a false police report is a crime and will be prosecuted. *See below* Before filing a report online, all of the following statements must be true: 1. This is not an emergency.
2 There are no known suspects.
3. There are no witnesses who observed the incident or who could provide information leading to the identity of the suspect.
4. The crime is not in progress.
5. The incident has not already been reported by phone or in person to police.
6. The incident occurred more than 30 minutes ago.
7. The incident occurred in BENSALEM TOWNSHIP.
8. There is no evidence or fingerprints for police to collect.
9. The incident is not related to a vehicle crash. If the incident met all of the above conditions, you may file a report online for certain incidents. Bensalem Township Police reserve the right to ban, prosecute or not respond to anyone abusing this system by posting false, misleading, repetitive, obscene, offensive, threatening reports or any other reports deemed inappropriate by the police department administration. Anyone who file a false report with the Bensalem Township Police Department is subject to the penalties below:
WARNING: § 4906. False reports to law enforcement authorities. (a) Falsely incriminating another.–Except as provided in subsection (c), a person who knowingly gives false information to any law enforcement officer with intent to implicate another commits a misdemeanor of the second degree. (b) Fictitious reports.–Except as provided in subsection (c), a person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he: (1) reports to law enforcement authorities an offense or other incident within their concern knowing that it did not occur; or (2) pretends to furnish such authorities with information relating to an offense or incident when he knows he has no information relating to such offense or incident. (c) Grading.– (1) If the violation of subsection (a) or (b) occurs during a declared state of emergency and the false report causes the resources of the law enforcement authority to be diverted from dealing with the declared state of emergency, the offense shall be graded one step greater than that set forth in the applicable subsection. (2) If the violation of subsection (a) or (b) relates to a false report of the theft or loss of a firearm, as defined in section 5515 (relating to prohibiting of paramilitary training), the offense shall be graded one step greater than that set forth in the applicable subsection.