Swatting is when an individual calls 911 and falsely reports a serious crime to send a large police presence to an unsuspecting victim.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new bill in the Ohio Senate would criminalize 'swatting,' which is when an individual calls emergency services and falsely reports a serious crime, such as a hostage situation, active shooter or bomb threat. This hoax has the goal of sending a large police presence, or a SWAT team, to approach an unsuspecting victim.
"It is usually younger gamers, online people who use technology to prank 911 and send a heavy armed response to a scenario that is not needed," Jason Pappas, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio , said. But it isn't funny to the person being swatted or the law enforcement showing up to what they think is a life-or-death situation, he said.
Because of how relatively new this phenomenon is, there isn't actually a crime specifically designated for the act. House Rep. Kevin Miller, a Republican from Newark, introduced the original bill with former Rep. Rick Carfagna, who left his seat as a Republican from Genoa Township to become the vice president of government affairs at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
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