December 13 2021
Bensalem Police have increased patrols and police presence in and around schools in the township, after threats discovered on social media. They were found to be false. It was over the weekend that the social media posts were made and authorities were alerted. They investigated and found no credible threat, but increased police presence out of an abundance of caution.
This is not the first time this has happened in the area. In Newtown authorities investigated threats was were made on social media. There has been a significant uptick in perceived threats since 15 year old Ethan Crumbley was arrested in Michigan for shooting up his school. In that case, warning signs were ignored and people want to make sure that any potential warning sign is investigated.
There is a huge difference in investigating something that is a misunderstanding or taken out of context versus a deliberate false threat to cause harm or to say someone is going to cause harm, just to see police response or to get a following on social media as a prank. Authorities in any area will prosecute those responsible.
Parents that see an increased police presence or media around schools in the township need not be alarmed