The New Castle County Division of Police in Delaware has issued a public safety announcement about ‘swatting.’ Swatting is when someone makes a false emergency call to prompt a large police response. Police state that swatting is a crime. It can put lives at risk, use up police resources, and cause fear in the community. Officers respond to all emergency calls as if they are real, so false reports can endanger both the public and first responders.
Police recommend that people limit sharing personal information online. They also suggest using strong privacy settings and enabling two-factor authentication. Residents should report threats or suspicious activity to law enforcement. Police also advise families to talk about the risks of sharing addresses or locations…..