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The original item was published from 6/16/2022 12:24:55 PM to 12/17/2022 12:00:03 AM.

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Police Department Press Releases

Posted on: June 16, 2022

[ARCHIVED] Keeping you informed - False Reports

Swatting

We are receiving numerous calls and concerns about an active shooter. These calls have been found to be false.

We believe this is a case of a new popular term called “Swatting.” The dictionary defines it as, “the action of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed officers to a particular address.”

If you are caught doing something like this, you could face some serious consequences. Ultimately, it is illegal to make a report of a criminal offense or an emergency that the person knows to be false. 

It could be punishable with a Class A misdemeanor, all the way to a 3rd Degree Felony, if an officer or emergency responder is injured during the response. If found guilty of a 3rd Degree Felony, you can receive from 2-10 years and be fined up to $10,000.

Swatting

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