From Fortune Magazine:

Dozens of public officials, including U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, have been targeted in swatting incidents in recent days. Swatting involves making false emergency calls to prompt a police response. Georgia lawmakers are pushing for stricter penalties against swatting, with several states enacting laws to address the issue.

The recent spate of swatting threats targeted public officials such as U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Swatting is a dangerous act that diverts law enforcement resources from real emergencies. No arrests have been made in the recent incidents, but Georgia lawmakers are seeking to introduce stricter penalties for false reporting and misuse of police forces.

The FBI attributes hundreds of swatting incidents annually. In some cases, caller ID spoofing is used to disguise the number of the caller. Swatting is not limited to public officials and has also targeted schools, colleges, and Jewish institutions. The Anti-Defamation League estimates that there were over 1,000 incidents of swatting nationwide in 2019.

False threats pose serious risks, as demonstrated by past incidents. In 2017, a man was killed by a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, in response to a hoax emergency call. In Maryland, a man was shot by police with rubber bullets after a fake hostage situation was reported at his home. Swatting not only endangers innocent people but also diverts resources from real emergencies.

Several states, including Ohio and Virginia, have passed laws to address swatting. Ohio made it a felony to report a false emergency, while Virginia increased penalties for swatting to up to 12 months in jail. Georgia lawmakers are planning to introduce new legislation to strengthen penalties for false reporting and misuse of police forces.

Swatting is a serious and growing issue, with hundreds of incidents occurring annually. It poses risks to public safety and diverts essential law enforcement resources from real emergencies. Stricter penalties for swatting, including felony offenses and increased jail time, are being implemented in various states to address the problem.



Read more: Lawmakers are tired of ‘swatting’ calls reporting fake shootings and are pushing for tougher penalties