Rise in 'Swatting' Incidents Prompts Call for Stricter Penalties

Public officials targeted in dangerous prank calls, lawmakers push for tougher laws.

Swatting, the act of making a prank call to emergency services to prompt a response at a particular address, has been on the rise with public officials being the recent targets.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost have been among the victims of recent swatting incidents.
Several Georgia lawmakers have expressed their desire for increased penalties for swatting, similar to laws enacted this year in Ohio and Virginia. Similar bills are pending in other states and Congress.
Hundreds of cases of swatting occur annually, with some using caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. The targets extend far beyond public officials.
Swatting calls have proven dangerous and even deadly, causing concern about diverting resources from real emergencies.