This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The city has been wrestling with the obnoxious, costly and dangerous prank of calling in phony but scary-sounding crime tips (often but not always to the homes of big-shot celebrities).The LAPD recently said that it was going to stop announcing when a celebrity's home has been "swatted" but the city wants to take action against this trend, too. The Los Angeles Public Safety Committee is considering new ways to punish perpetrators, including demanding restitution and offering rewards for their capture and conviction, according to City News Service.
A motion asking the city attorney to pen an ordinance requiring criminals who "swat" to pay restitution was introduced by Councilman Paul Koretz. It also requires the city attorney to come up with a reward system for people who rat out "swatting," and it asks the police department to come up with ways to stop the practice. Councilman Joe Buscaino who supports the measure said, "Someone at one point will get seriously hurt or killed. There's no question."
Police told CNS that so far 400 swatting incidences have occurred nationwide, but L.A. is "getting hit the hardest."
So far Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Selena Gomez, Tom Cruise and many more have been swatted. State Sen. Ted Lieu, who recently proposed a state law to jail pranksters, was "swatted" last weekend.
Related:
Senator Who Proposed Anti-Swatting Legislation Gets Swatted
LAPD Will No Longer Dignify Celebrity 'Swatting' Pranks With A Press Release
