Swatting calls pose a grave risk during active shooter situations, compounding the
already high-stakes nature of these events. When law enforcement receives a false
report of an active shooter, they must respond with the utmost urgency and
preparedness, treating the situation as a genuine threat until proven otherwise. This
heightened state of alert and the potential for ambush-style attacks significantly
increases the danger faced by responding officers.
Increased Officer Casualties A study by the Advanced Law Enforcement
Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center found that officers were 7.4 times more
likely to be killed when shot during an ambush at the outset of an active shooter event
compared to being shot while responding. Swatting calls can create these ambush
scenarios, putting officers at greater risk of being caught off guard and sustaining fatal
injuries.
Delayed Response and Escalation As officers rush to the perceived
active shooter scene, the hoax nature of the swatting call may not be immediately
apparent. This can lead to delayed responses to genuine emergencies occurring
elsewhere, allowing real threats to escalate unchecked. The confusion and chaos
created by swatting incidents can have devastating consequences if resources are
misdirected from authentic crisis situations.
Traumatic Impact on Communities Even when swatting calls are
ultimately revealed as hoaxes, the initial response treats them as real, traumatizing
students, staff, and community members who believe they are in the midst of a mass
shooting event. The psychological toll of such incidents can be severe, eroding the
sense of safety and security within schools and communities. Mitigating the risks posed
by swatting during active shooter scenarios requires a multi-pronged approach,
including enhanced threat assessment protocols, improved information sharing between
agencies, and severe penalties for perpetrators to deter this dangerous criminal
behavior.
Website: Perplexity.AI
Date: April 30 th , 2024
Bob Cooke / Lockdown International
Hi Bob - Sir, I am inquiring regarding your basic premise that "When law enforcement receives a false report of an active shooter, they must respond with the utmost urgency and
preparedness, treating the situation as a genuine threat until proven otherwise."
It seems to me that you have proven with your three points in the article, that this course of actions by law enforcement agencies has more risks than rewards. Set aside for a moment, the movement/protocols/collaborative actions/etc. from a real attack; should the unverified (and full of yellow if not red flags) Swatting call be treated more like a bomb threat?
I believe (and you pointed out many of these, as well) society needs a holistic approach to…