This section of Pennsylvania law addresses false alarms to public safety agencies, making it a misdemeanor to knowingly transmit false emergency signals. If such false alarms occur during a declared state of emergency and divert resources, the offense escalates to a felony. The law aims to prevent misuse of emergency response systems and ensure public safety resources are available for real emergencies.
A false alarm occurs when someone knowingly causes a false emergency signal to be transmitted to fire or other emergency organizations, causing unnecessary response efforts.
During a declared state of emergency, transmitting a false alarm that diverts resources is a felony of the third degree, which carries more severe penalties.
Yes, causing a false alarm to emergency services is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and can be elevated to a felony if it occurs during a state of emergency and diverts resources.
Yes, false alarms are generally prosecuted as misdemeanors unless they occur during a declared emergency and cause resource diversion, which can elevate the charge.