Cohasset resident victim of “Swatting” hoax overnight.
Christine James spoke with Police Chief Bill Quigley:
“Cohasset Police received a 9-1-1 call at about 12:20 am on Friday, October 1, 2021. The caller reported that he was armed with a pistol and rifle and holding his 3-children hostage inside a Beechwood Street home. The caller further said that he possessed an explosive device that he would trigger if approached by police.
Emergency call takers at the South Shore Regional Emergency Communications Center (SSRECC) gathered information, and Cohasset police declared a “Tactical Alert,” drawing on-duty mutual-aid police assistance from SSRECC police agencies in Hingham, Hull, Norwell, and Scituate.
Police shut down roads around Beechwood Street and 3A, along with King Street and Shaw’s Plaza. At the same time, Cohasset Police commanders and detectives evaluated information coming from the caller, who remained on the line for some time with 9-1-1 dispatchers.
Through information gathered from the caller and real-time electronic forensic data gathered by Cohasset Police detectives, commanders surmised that the call was possibly a “swatting” hoax.
Police called neighbors to shelter in place while tactical officers summoned the target location occupants to the yard. After confirming there was no emergency at the target address, the call was declared a hoax shortly after 2 am.
Chief William Quigley stated, “These are extremely dynamic situations that require a substantial police response. The tactical alert system with local partner agencies affords us the ability to respond in a safe and measured way while maintaining tactical control and officer and public safety.”
We thank the dispatchers at SSRECC, Cohasset Fire Department, Hingham, Norwell, Hull, and Scituate Police, for their quick and professional response. Cohasset detectives will be actively investigating the origins of this call.” – Statement from Cohasset Police Department on Facebook.
