Governor Hochul Addresses Rash of "Swatting" Events Across NYS Tuesday, Including on Long Island
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that over 50 school districts across the state have been plagued by alleged "swatting" incidents Tuesday - all of them unfounded and posing no actual threat to the public - and that her administration is working with law enforcement to being those responsible to justice.
Swatting is a "criminal harassment tactic of deceiving an emergency service (via such means as hoaxing an emergency services dispatcher) into sending a police or emergency service response team to another person's address. This is triggered by false reporting of a serious law enforcement emergency, such as a bomb threat, murder, hostage situation, or a false report of a mental health emergency, such as reporting that a person is allegedly suicidal or homicidal and may or may not be armed, among other things."
Hochul issued a statement regarding Tuesday's statewide rash of swatting events, which can be read below:
"More than 50 school districts across New York have received disturbing 'swatting' threats today including in Central New York, Long Island, the Southern Tier and the North Country. I want to reassure parents that their children are safe at school - swatting threats are false and intended to cause panic and scare students, teachers and families.
"I have directed the New York State Police to investigate these threats and work closely with all levels of law enforcement to identify the perpetrators, hold them accountable, and restore the sense of safety and security our children deserve. Since the first round of swatting incidents occurred last week, State Police has been working closely with the State Education Department, county leadership and local school boards to provide support and any necessary resources to address these incidents. My top priority will always be the safety of New Yorkers."