A Schuylkill County woman is facing a criminal charge because police say she repeatedly called 9-1-1 after being warned not to call her neighbor a racial slur.
Back on May 15, police in Ashland say they were called to the 1500 block of Walnut St. for a dispute among neighbors. At the scene, police say they spoke with a man who said his neighbor’s harassing him, calling him the “N-word”.
Police say they then spoke with the woman who allegedly lobbed the racial remark at the neighbor – identifed as Beth Ann Dougherty, 46 – and she said she used the “N-word” in relation to her neighbor because he called her a “cracker”.
Ashland Ofc. Brandon Gonzalez told the victim to call 9-1-1 if Dougherty continues to attack her. Gonzalez says in his criminal complaint that he informed Dougherty – whom he determined was intoxicated – to leave the neighbor alone and cleared the scene.
A few moments later, Gonzalez says he was contacted by Schuylkill County 9-1-1. Dougherty, dispatchers said, kept calling and asked for State Police. Gonzalez said he told Dougherty to stop calling 9-1-1 for non-emergencies. Dougherty allegedly responded that she will call whomever she wants.
Then, a few minutes after that, Gonzalez learned that Dougherty called 9-1-1 once again. Gonzalez said he’s filing a charge against her.
While reviewing call recordings, Gonzalez learned that Dougherty called 9-1-1 several more times, going back-and-forth with a dispatcher and during one call alleged that her neighbor now has a dog fighting ring.
Dougherty has been charged with a misdemeanor offense for communications with 9-1-1 systems. A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli is scheduled for Aug. 5.
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