ST. PAUL, Minn. – Lawmakers in Minnesota are considering a proposal that would make swatting calls, a dangerous and wasteful act, a felony offense in the state. Swatting involves making a fake call to emergency services in order to elicit a response, often from a SWAT team, at another person’s house. The proposal, authored by Rep. Lisa Demuth, the GOP Minority Leader, aims to specifically target those who make swatting calls to the homes of elected officials, judges, prosecuting attorneys, correctional facility employees, or peace officers.
Under current Minnesota law, it is already a crime to report a false emergency with the intent of having first responders sent to the false report. The severity of the crime depends on a person’s history of making such calls and whether anyone was injured during the response. However, the proposed legislation hopes to further deter swatting by imposing felony charges on those who target specific individuals.
Supporters of the bill argue that swatting calls not only waste valuable department resources but also put first responders and the occupants of the targeted home at risk. Rep. Demuth emphasized that swatting can lead to deadly consequences and called for an increase in penalties for this fictitious crime.
If the proposal is approved, individuals who report a false emergency with the intent of having emergency responders dispatched to their own home could face up to one year in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill has received support from several legislators, including Rep. Zack Stephenson, who has been a vocal advocate for strengthening the safety and rights of Minnesotans during this legislative session.
Swatting calls have become a growing concern across Minnesota, with schools being frequently targeted. In a separate incident in December, FOX 9 highlighted the rise in swatting calls specifically affecting Minnesota schools. Authorities stress the importance of cracking down on swatting, not only to protect those who protect the community but also to prevent the unnecessary allocation of resources.
The proposal is currently under consideration in a collection of larger bills known as an omnibus. It has garnered sponsorship from 14 other legislators, mainly from the Republican party. However, it has also gained support from Rep. Brion Curran, a Democrat who has backed various proposals aimed at increasing safety and safeguarding the rights of Minnesotans.
By making swatting a felony offense, Minnesota hopes to send a strong message that this dangerous and deceptive act will not be tolerated. Legislators aim to protect individuals targeted by swatting calls while also safeguarding the wellbeing of first responders and preventing the misuse of valuable resources.