Cops, Courts & Fire - Yardley Borough

Updated: Bucks 9-1-1 Call Center Under Cyber Attack, Investigation launched

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Updated: 7:15 am Tuesday January 23:

In response to a request for comment Bucks County Spokesperson James O’Malley included a message sent out to police, fire and EMS chiefs, as well as local Emergency Management Coordinators, adding that the county has no further comment at this time. The message is below in its entirety in italics:

The Bucks County Department of Emergency Communications is investigating a cybersecurity incident affecting the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.

All phone systems and radio systems remain operational, and all calls for service from the public are being received and dispatched to first responders without delay. All incidents are being documented using a backup system.

The CAD system has been offline since Sunday afternoon, and there is currently no projected timeframe for restoration. County IT is working to assess the issue and restore CAD service. The County has engaged state and federal partner agencies to assist in our response and investigation.

Automated resources powered by the CAD system will be unavailable for the duration of the outage.

Additionally, the County’s access to CLEAN and NCIC databases has been temporarily disconnected.

We are requesting that radio communication be kept to essential transmissions only. We cannot field requests for incident times and suggest that responders attempt to maintain their times as best they can.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Original Story

The Bucks County Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) has been down for more than 24 hours, multiple sources told Lower Bucks Source.

Sources said the reason for the system going offline is due to a cyber attack.

An email to county officials was not immediately returned late Monday night.

The CAD system went down, sources said, late Sunday afternoon.

911 Dispatchers use CAD, a source familiar with its inner workings said, to input and broadcast specific location information on incidents. The information goes to first responders helping to facilitate the units dispatched to a given incident. Part of the CAD network in Bucks County is linked to License Plate Reader (LPR) system which police departments use to check on motorists, sources told LBS Monday.

Officers are now taking down information with pen and paper.

A source with knowledge of the system being down said so far there have been no major issues in terms of communications, and it’s been “relatively quiet” in terms of major incidents in the county.

But how long can this keep, the source was asked, and they couldn’t respond with a concrete answer.

What is apparent is first responder services are being held hostage by cyber attackers, two sources said, and little to no information about the downed system is out there.

Versaterm’s Computer Aided Dispatch system (vCAD) for Police, Fire & Emergency Medical Services went live approximately two years ago.

Bucks County 911 Pennsylvania now supports more than 130 independent agencies, together responding to more than 600,000 calls for services each year, including 40 individual law enforcement entities, 60 volunteer and combination fire departments, and 17 emergency medical services, as well as a number of County-based and State-based agencies, says a Versaterm press release.

According to Diamond IT, attacks of 911 call centers have been a growing and emerging problem over the last 10 years. 911 call centers have become a symbol of rescue and hope. But since 2014, that very symbol of safety has come under attack in cities such as Baltimore, Atlanta and Seattle, says one report from the cyber security firm.

Sources did say the full weight of the Federal Government is part of the cyber attack investigation, as of early Monday morning.

The 9-1-1 operations center is based in Ivyland Borough, and handles calls for municipal police departments, fire companies, and EMS squads.

Related Topics:Reports: 911 System Under Cyber Attack

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Cops

Emergency Crews Prepare for Incoming Blizzard as Lower Bucks Municipalities Declare Storm Plans

Published

2 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Joanne Ames

Credit:: Veinna Carcel

Lower Bucks municipalities have declared disaster/snow emergencies in advance of the expected snow storm that the National Weather Service says will dump anywhere between 14 to 18 inches on the area.

A winter storm warning is still in effect from Sunday, Feb 22 to Monday, Feb 23.

Each municipality has its own link. For more information and updates, please click on their associated link.

Bensalem Township – Disaster Emergency declared immediately for the pending snow storm. Click here to see more details.

Bristol Borough – Snow information/requirements have been posted on their website. Click here to see the details.

Bristol Township – Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click here to see more details.

Falls Township – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and expires on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. Click here for details.

Langhorne Borough – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. No parking. Click here for details.

Lower Makefield Township – Snow information has been posted on Meta. Click here to see the details.

Middletown Township – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. . Click here to see details.

Morrisville Borough – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Click here to see the details.

Newtown Township – A Snow Emergency is in effect from 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Click here to see the details.

Penndel Borough – Snow Emergency has been declared from 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, through 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026. Click here for more details and click here for more on the ordinance.

Tullytown Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 6 p.m. Click here to see more details.

Warminster Township – Disaster Emergency has been declared for the incoming snow storm, effective Sunday Feb. 22, 2026 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026 at 12 p.m.. Click here to see the details and click here to see the declaration from Township Manager Tom Scott.

Yardley Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 4 p.m. . Click here to see the details. and click here to see declaration/other information from Mayor Caroline Thompson.

The primary concern is safety. Take care of yourselves and check on neighbors and those who may be vulnerable.

Please stay safe, take all necessary precautions, and keep your devices charged.

Click here for updates from the National Weather Service

Click here for PECO’s outage map.

Cops

Buyers Beware: Thieves Are Using Social Media to Sell Stolen Vehicles, Cops Say

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

staff

Police across the commonwealth are warning consumers looking to purchase vehicles online about an uptick in reports in which thieves are using social media based sites to sell stolen vehicles.

Police departments across Pennsylvania are seeing an uptick of cases in which criminals are using channels like Facebook Marketplace to sell stolen vehicles, often with counterfeit titles or falsified paperwork, law enforcement officials say.

At least one investigator reported, investigators say, that of the vehicles recovered, almost none of them exhibit signs of tampering or damage.

Be cautious and help protect yourself:

Verify Vehicle History: Always check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a full vehicle history report.
Avoid Cash-Only Transactions: Use traceable payment methods and meet sellers in safe, public locations.
Inspect Carefully: Look for signs of tampering and never buy a car without confirming its ownership and documentation.

And always remember, authorities say, if something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t let a quick deal turn into a costly mistake.

Cops

DA-Elect Khan Prepares to Take Office; Transition Team to Seek Community Input

Published

2 months ago

December 30, 2025

Jeff Bohen

District Attorney-elect Joe Khan earlier this month formally announced the launch of his Transition Committee.

Khan thanked outgoing District Attorney Jennifer Schorn for her support during this process.

For the remainder of 2025, the Transition Committee will advise Khan as he prepares to take the oath of office in January, a transition team spokesman said.

“In 2026, the committee will reorganize and seek community input for reforms that can be recommended to Khan during his first 120 days in Office. The Committee will conclude its work by assessing and reporting on the status of any recommended actions and strategies,” officials said in a release.be

Last week Khan announced Brendan Flynn (Chief of Staff) Kristin McElroy (Chief Deputy District Attorney) and Elizabeth Oquendo (First Chief of Civil Enforcement) would be joining his team.

“Brendan’s life in public service began at age 18 when he was sworn in at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and has included service as a homicide prosecutor in Philadelphia and as an aide to then-Congressman Patrick Murphy in Bucks County. I’ve worked with Brendan to resolve high stakes matters over the last few years and I can’t wait for him to step into this critical new role serving and protecting our community!,” said Khan.

Flynn also co-chairs the transition team.

Credit: Submitted

“KMac” is an exceptional public servant who has dedicated her career to protecting the most vulnerable in Bucks County. Her integrity, energy and work ethic will set the standard of excellence in this exciting next chapter of the DA’s Office!,” the DA elect said.

“Oquendo will be returning to Bucks from the PA Attorney General’s Office, where she has enforced consumer protection laws to keep us safe from unscrupulous business practices. I am so excited to work with Elizabeth again!,” Khan said.

“I’m blown away by the talent and wisdom of these legal superstars and grateful for their counsel as we equip the DA’s Office to address the 21st century challenges facing crime victims, working families, and our environment,” the DA-Elect said.

Khan was elected District Attorney this past November earning 54% of the vote, winning more votes than any candidate for this office in the history of Bucks County, according to his transition team.