Bill would make swatting a four-year felony
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security as 'making malicious hoax calls to emergency services to falsely report an ongoing emergency such as a violent crime or explosive device at a certain location,' with the goal of drawing an emergency response.
'Swatting' at schools: Police investigate false reports
'If the false report is made with the intent that it cause a response to address the reported crime, regardless of whether or not a response occurs, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00,' reads.
If there is a response and someone suffers injury, serious impairment or death as a result, the person responsible for the false report would face harsher penalties, the bill continues.
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, introduced Senate Bill 202 Tuesday alongside , which specifies penalties for swatting incidents. The bills were referred to committee.
Swatting has , including in West Michigan. For instance, in October, after the high school was the target of a fake threat. Officers searched each school in the district and didn't find any threat, so the schools were released from lockdown.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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