JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The FBI is warning students about swatting ahead of the new school year.
In short, it’s when someone calls 911 or alerts authorities to a fake threat that causes a mass police response.
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There have been a number of swatting incidents in recent years in Florida.
Some of them have involved teens upset over a game, another was a teen allegedly upset over an online feud leading to a violent manifesto being sent to county officials in Putnam County.
“Sometimes it’s just a random act and sometimes you’ll have individuals that will have a falling out with someone else, and then they’ll decide to do a swatting event at their house in the middle of the night and to get that response just to retaliate against them,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Collins.
Aside from other resources that it takes up, FBI agents say you could face serious charges.
“Either federal or state,” Collins said.
FBI agents say swatting is a growing concern for law enforcement across the country. At the moment there is no formal national swatting incident tracking, according to the FBI, but it believes this happens hundreds of times a year, with many going unreported.
“We’ve seen an increase the last probably two decades, we’ve seen an increase in school shootings, we’ve also seen now an increase with swatting. Swatting is where an individual will make, they’ll call into the police or emergency services and make a false report about a life-threatening event at whatever location, whether it be a school or at someone’s residence,” said Collins.
How can you as a parent make a difference?
FBI agents say to remind your child that games are not that serious and that actions have consequences.
That can be said for anything. Nothing should ever lead you to pull a prank that could cause harm.
Agents said if you hear about someone planning a possible swatting situation, call the FBI or police.
“The responsibility is on you. You need to contact either the FBI, either locally or through our website or local law enforcement, as well,” Collins said.
Agent Collins said as a family, try to create an environment where these things can be talked about openly and comfortably.
