Newly proposed bipartisan bills target swatting, intending to make it a felony in Pennsylvania if passed by the state legislature, writes Alfred Lubrano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
At a Harrisburg news conference earlier this week, State Rep. Craig Williams, who represents Delaware and Chester counties, announced the legislation he introduced last week in the Pennsylvania House.
Swatting is the act of calling in a fake emergency to get large numbers of law enforcement officers to rush to a particular address.
“The pattern is growing,” said Williams.
He cited an incident on August 21 when an unknown caller reported an active shooter at Villanova University during orientation. The report turned out to be false and was followed by a second active-shooter hoax three days later. Similar swatting occurrences also occurred at West Chester, Millersville, and Shippensburg Universities on September 28. No arrests have been made in connection with any of the incidents.
“These were deliberate acts of terror,” said Williams. “It’s not a prank. And here’s what’s unbelievable: It’s not a crime.”
His legislation would change that.
“Anyone who deliberately makes a false report to provoke an armed response would face serious penalties,” he said.
Read more about the proposed bills in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
