It's a potentially expensive and dangerous practice, and it's on the rise. Senator Charles Schumer is introducing legislation that would create stiffer federal penalties for those convicted of what is known as "swatting."
Swatting is the false reporting of a supposed criminal incident that leads police agencies to respond with resources including SWAT teams or other personnel. Late last week, a Pennsylvania man was charged with swatting a suburban Rochester home. Earlier in the month in Rochester, a bogus call brought SWAT team and hostage negotiation personnel to a busy street.
Senator Schumer says it's expensive for police agencies, disruptive when calls interfere with school days and education, and potentially dangerous for those who may be in real need of police.
The motives, he said, range from criminals wanting to divert police resources away from a real planned illegal activity to people playing an obnoxious prank.
In the case last weekend involving a suburban Rochester home, the suspect was allegedly targeting an online video game rival.
"A lot of times, this is what they're finding, people are on these nationwide video games. They lose, and they get angry at the person who beat them, so they do swatting to their house or their school," Schumer said.
The senator is introducing legislation that would introduce a federal penalty of up to eight years in prison. It would also require the person convicted of swatting reimburse police agencies for the expenses incurred by the bogus call. Lastly, Schumer's bill would ban calls to police using blocked numbers.
The senator says he has bipartisan support for the bill and hopes to have it passed and signed into law by the end of the summer.
