In Wake Of Fake School Shooting Calls, PA Eyes New Deterrent

HARRISBURG, PA — Lawmakers are introducing new measures in response to Pennsylvania's recent surge in "swatting" calls, or fake 9-11 calls that result in wasted emergency services resources and, in some, cases, psychological trauma.

Forthcoming legislation would hold fake callers financially responsible for the money and time they cause law enforcement, school districts, and other agencies to lose. The bill would also clearly designate swatting calls as a "false alarm," making it easier to ajudicate and prosecute cases.

"Responding to fake 911 calls not only costs communities money, it puts residents in danger by taking law enforcement and emergency service personnel away from real emergencies," State Sens. Vincent J. Hughes and Wayne Langerholc Jr. wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "Police, firefighters and other first responders are also put in danger in rushing to the scene and through potential altercations with unsuspecting residents who may try to defend themselves."

RELATED: Several Active Shooter Hoaxes In Schools Around PA, Police Say

While swatting has been on the rise nationally for months, the most recent surge impacting Pennsylvania occurred over just a one to two day period in late March. Schools in counties across the state, including Allegheny, Philadelphia, Lehigh, Northampton, and others, received calls claiming that there was a shooter in a local school and that multiple students were shot, state police said.

In many cases, law enforcement was dispatched directly to schools, which were locked down. Parents were called, and students were cleared from the school and took shelter.

Beyond those incidents, the “swatting" phenomenon has been increasing nationally over the last several months months. According to Education Week, a wave of the calls hit dozens of schools in at least six states in September, and has hit 40 states all told. In California, educators and advocates have been outspoken on the emotional and financial toll the hoaxes taken on children, teachers, and police.

Lawmakers hope the new bill will act as a deterrent.

Specifically, those found to have made swatting calls would pay the costs of salaries and wages of those who spent time responding to the fake call, the equipment used in response, and local government resources used in response.

The motion was previously introduced as Senate Bill 296 in the 2015-16 session but was not passed into law.