Colchester "Swatting" Incident Prompts State Police to Issue Warning

State police are warning people that “swatting,” the act of calling in a false report in order to attract a large law enforcement response, is not only dangerous, but illegal.

The most recent incident of swatting occurred on Sept. 22 in Colchester, according to a release from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Members of state police and local police departments responded to a report of multiple shootings and a hostage situation at a Colchester residence. The home was vacant.

“Swatting” drains police, fire and other public safety resources and is highly disruptive to businesses and schools

“The Colchester incident was evidence of a growing problem in Connecticut and across the country. These false calls for help are criminal acts that take our much-needed first responders away from critical duties and

deplete scarce resources,” said Dr. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. “Keeping the public safe is our core commitment. We will investigate all swatting incidents and arrest those who commit this crime.”

Perhaps the most well-known incident of swatting in the state involved a call placed to police that warned of an impending mass shooting at Yale University last November. The call prompted a massive law enforcement response that shut down the downtown New Haven area for hours.

The response cost the New Haven Police Department $30,000 in overtime alone.

Police arrested Jeffrey Jones, 50, and charged him with falsely reporting an incident among other alleged crimes.