'Swatting' is the term used to describe when a person calls police to falsely report a crime that is actively occurring at the home of another person - as a "hoax". Of course, the problem is that law enforcement officers are mobilized, often with special SWAT forces as well, because most of the calls indicate that violent crimes are in progress or that there are armed participants.
At this point, officials do not appear to have a reasonable means of eliminating or reducing the number of these types of pranks. The current design of the "911" system in most areas means that emergency calls get responded to immediately and without question. It would be impossible to discern if a call that "sounded" like a hoax was actually false - and law enforcement officials are unwilling to take the chance.
What is most disturbing about Swatting is the fact that vast public resources are wasted every time a false call comes in that sends an armada of police and rescue personnel to the home of a celebrity. And, during the hours that they are at a false crime scene, ensuring that in fact no crime has actually occurred, every other person in the area who may have an actual emergency is now at much greater risk. Even though Swatting usually hurts no one, it actually endangers the lives of everyone.
Yesterday, police were called to the L.A.-area home of Chris Brown at about 5PM on reports that a domestic incident was occurring at the home. Of course, the pranksters indicated a domestic dispute because of Brown's previous legal troubles related to his beating of Rihanna. When police arrived at the home, Brown was not there. It's impossible to say whether authorities will ever be able to accurately screen false Swatting calls, but it would seem that something needs to be done to stop this dangerous game.
At this point, officials do not appear to have a reasonable means of eliminating or reducing the number of these types of pranks. The current design of the "911" system in most areas means that emergency calls get responded to immediately and without question. It would be impossible to discern if a call that "sounded" like a hoax was actually false - and law enforcement officials are unwilling to take the chance.
What is most disturbing about Swatting is the fact that vast public resources are wasted every time a false call comes in that sends an armada of police and rescue personnel to the home of a celebrity. And, during the hours that they are at a false crime scene, ensuring that in fact no crime has actually occurred, every other person in the area who may have an actual emergency is now at much greater risk. Even though Swatting usually hurts no one, it actually endangers the lives of everyone.
Yesterday, police were called to the L.A.-area home of Chris Brown at about 5PM on reports that a domestic incident was occurring at the home. Of course, the pranksters indicated a domestic dispute because of Brown's previous legal troubles related to his beating of Rihanna. When police arrived at the home, Brown was not there. It's impossible to say whether authorities will ever be able to accurately screen false Swatting calls, but it would seem that something needs to be done to stop this dangerous game.
