California Bills Aim to Increase Penalties for ‘Swatting’ Incidents

Current state law says a ‘swatting’ threat must be directed at a specific person. New bills would expand that to schools, churches, and other locations.

First responders including SWAT teams secure Santa Ana High School as parents and family members wait for students on lockdown after bomb and weapon threats at the school in Santa Ana, Calif., on March 10, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Two bills making their way through the California Legislature aim to increase penalties for “swatting” crimes and eliminate loopholes that keep authorities from prosecuting incidents in the state.

Swatting typically involves prank calls to law enforcement that trigger a large number of armed police officers sent to a particular address.