Misinformation, Rumors Continue To Cause Problems In Area, Cops Say

Social media rumors and pranks proved to be problematic again Tuesday.

Amid national turmoil, local social media groups and pages have – most likely unwittingly – helped spread untrue and unfounded information. Worried residents, in some cases, have been quick to parrot the information in the community.

In Bristol Township, police said Tuesday evening that a pile of bricks were being removed by a property owner, who was using them for a construction project. Valls of concern to police about the stack of bricks came along with Facebook posts implying that they were to be used for civil unrest. In addition, similar posts have appeared around the region making a claim that piles of bricks and other debris were being placed purposely to fuel disturbances.

Several law enforcement sources – one who had received chain text floating the rumor and another who spotted the post on Facebook – said they’re not aware of anything happening locally involving agitators placing bricks.

At the Target on East Lincoln Highway in Middletown Township, an employee came over the loudspeaker and asked customers to stop shopping and leave the store around 6 p.m. Tuesday. As customers were leaving, readers told LevittownNow.com that township police were outside.

Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla said the order to leave the store came following a “prank call” to the retail location that claimed to be Target’s corporate office, which was ordering an evacuation of the building.

Officers checked the entire store and the perimeter and found no problems.

In Bristol Borough, police on Tuesday handled a false social media report of a “female in a nursing outfit beaten by four men at a convenience store” in the town.

Police Chief Steve Henry said the report was false and noted a following post called for violence in revenge for the fake assault.

“Social media platforms are being used to incite violence …. The public is strongly urged to get their news from legitimate professional news sources. Please confirm any similar type of post before forwarding,” the chief said.

On Sunday and Monday, unfounded posts on social media caused stirs throughout Lower Bucks County.

As rioting and looting has happened in Philadelphia and Trenton, police across the Levittown area have put on additional patrol officers during overnight shifts and some big-box stores have closed early.

The increased police presence was clear outside the Walmart in Tullytown Borough, the Oxford Valley Mall in Middletown, and the Court at Oxford Valley shopping center in Falls Township. Police placed barricades Monday evening outside the Oxford Valley Mall.

Law enforcement has not made the public aware of any credible threats to the Levittown area.

“If you give credence to every rumor you read on social media, you would never be able to leave your house or live your life,” Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub told this news organization on Monday.

The district attorney said people spreading unfounded rumors are “thoughtless and uncivil.”

Across the nation, misinformation about peaceful protests and violent rioting and looting has been rampant. The New York Times, Fox News, and NBC News all reported on the issue this week.

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