Cops, Courts & Fire - Yardley Borough

Fed’s See Rise in COVID-19 Scams Warn Public

Published

6 years ago

March 24, 2020

Federal state and local law enforcement officials have seen a rise in scams linked to the coronavirus outbreak recently.

Local officials said in recent days for consumers to be aware of such scam attempts as reports have come into the Bucks County Consumer Protection Department.

Bucks County residents can file local consumer complaints online by filling out this form.

The FBI said in Public Service Announcement “scammers are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both.”

Federal officials warn of the potential hazards by being on on the lookout for the following types of scams:

Fake CDC Emails

Watch out for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other organizations claiming to offer information on the virus. Do not click links or open attachments you do not recognize. Fraudsters can use links in emails to deliver malware to your computer to steal personal information or to lock your computer and demand payment. Be wary of websites and apps claiming to track COVID-19 cases worldwide. Criminals are using malicious websites to infect and lock devices until payment is received.

Phishing Emails.

Look out for phishing emails asking you to verify your personal information in order to receive an economic stimulus check from the government. While talk of economic stimulus checks has been in the news cycle, government agencies are not sending unsolicited emails seeking your private information in order to send you money. Phishing emails may also claim to be related to:

Charitable contributions
General financial relief
Airline carrier refunds
Fake cures and vaccines
Fake testing kits

Counterfeit Treatments or Equipment

Be cautious of anyone selling products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. Be alert to counterfeit products such as sanitizing products and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including N95 respirator masks, goggles, full face shields, protective gowns, and gloves.

More information on unapproved or counterfeit PPE can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh. You can also find information on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov, and the Environmental Protection Agency website, www.epa.gov.

Federal authorities ask the public to report counterfeit products at this link and to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center here

The FBI is reminding you to always use good cyber hygiene and security measures. By remembering the following tips, you can protect yourself and help stop criminal activity:

Do not open attachments or click links within emails from senders you don’t recognize.
Do not provide your username, password, date of birth, social security number, financial data, or other personal information in response to an email or robocall.
Always verify the web address of legitimate websites and manually type them into your browser.
Check for misspellings or wrong domains within a link (for example, an address that should end in a “.gov” ends in .com” instead).

If you believe you are the victim of an Internet scam or cyber crime, or if you want to report suspicious activity, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Additionally, Bucks County Director Michael Bannon said his department’s hotline at 1-800-942-2669 has been busy with calls from concerned residents, business owners and employers with questions and concerns about the shutdown. He urged any business owners who are unsure which category their business fits into to visit Department of Community and Economic Development or the most updated information also.

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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.