Idaho Legislature: Ask legislators to VOTE YES for S1019 - False report, explosives, emergency (posted 01/26/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: emailidaho.com

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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Swatting is a dangerous prank where false emergency calls are made to provoke a law enforcement response. Swatting is a growing threat with dangers to the public, to law enforcement, and to the private sector.

Swatting can draw often-scarce law enforcement resources from a place where they might be needed to the swatting location. Swatting also can be used as a distraction to draw in law enforcement while another crime is committed elsewhere, or as a way to ambush law enforcement officers responding to the swat call.

Although currently classified as a misdemeanor under false police reporting, swatting receives more clarity and stronger penalties as a deterrent in S1019. The bill will help combat the harmful consequences of false emergency reports, revises existing provisions on false police reports, and adds a new section criminalizing false reports of violence or emergencies in public or private places. With clear definitions, specified penalties for offenders, and necessary technical corrections to improve clarity and enforcement, this bill is worth your support.

SWATTING CAN KILL (and we don't mean flies).

References:

• FBI Las Vegas Federal Fact Friday: The Dangers of Swatting: fbi.gov/contact-us/fiel…

• Wikipedia — Swatting: