Making false calls to 911 or making false threats is what’s referred to as “swatting.”
It’s defined as a prank call made to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch law enforcement to a particular location.
Attorney General Nessel is today reminding residents of potential punishments for swatting.She says in a news release, “Swatting is not harmless,” adding “It is a serious crime that can lead to dangerous situations and divert law enforcement away from someone facing an actual emergency. What callers may believe to be a ‘joke’ actually risks the public safety of our communities and can carry lifelong consequences for those responsible.”
Nessel’s office says possible charges for making a threat of violence could include: Communicating a threat of terrorism, a 20 year felony; calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony.
Charges for swatting could include things like, the false reporting of a crime, which is a 93-day misdemeanor and a false report resulting in physical injury is a five-year felony.
In addition to serving time in jail or prison, those who are found guilty of these crimes can face fines of up to $20,000.00.
