'Swatting' Calls Draw Fair Lawn Police To Same Home Twice

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A 911 caller drew Fair Lawn police officers to a Maywood Court residence twice for incidents that police found no evidence of. Police are calling it a "swatting" incident, where a caller directs officers to a certain location.

Police responded to the home Jan. 5 at 9:03 p.m. after a caller, transferred to Fair Lawn by the New York City Police Department, said a suicidal man was in the home threatening to slit his throat. Officers turned up to the home and did not find the man.

Police officers had been to the same home on Sept. 17, 2021 after another transferred call, where a 13-year-old girl said she was being held in the basement of the home after being abducted from Queens. Officers searched the home and did not find anything.

"Police dispatchers & officers involved on both calls believe that the callers were disguising their voice when speaking to the police," Fair Lawn police said in a news release.

"Investigations into both calls have not turned up a suspect at this time."

The resident of the home told the Daily Voice the incidents were traumatizing for her family, and was worried first responders may hesitate if she calls them for a true emergency.

The police department posted on Facebook, warning that "swatting" is a serious crime.

"...if you are caught, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law," the department said in the Facebook post. "Not only do you put first responders in harms way but it’s also scary for the person it’s being done to. Rest assured we will take every response serious. Your safety is our priority!"