Lawmakers push tougher penalties on swatting amid Nebraska schools going into lockdown
Recently multiple Nebraska schools have gone into lockdown over the last two weeks.
NORFOLK, Neb. — Recently multiple Nebraska schools have gone into lockdown over the last two weeks.
Wayne Public Schools went into lockdown last Friday. Most recently, Millard South High School in Omaha was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning.
As lawmakers work to pass legislation that would impose stricter penalties for making swatting calls, the Nebraska State Patrol says there are simple signs that indicate a swatting call.
“An issue that we have an active shooter there is typically going to be a ton of calls coming into the 9-1-1 line as everyone has got a phone. In Swatting calls its usually just one call and that’s it,” said Director of the Nebraska Information Analysis Center Captain Monty Lovelace.
Nebraska Information Analysis Center Director Capt. Monty Lovelace says when they receive one swatting call it’s typical to get a few more in spurts. But he says the people who make these calls are difficult to track down because they use the dark web to cover their tracks.
Lovelace says the multiple cases of false calls won’t deter law enforcement from responding when they still receive one.
“The fear is that the response maybe come complacent should there be an active shooter, so law enforcement has gotten very good at understanding the indicators of swatting, but still responding in such a way that’s responsible should be something happen,” said Lovelace.
The bill LB-1020 proposed by State Senator Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, would eliminate the possibility of offenders getting probation if convicted of swatting.
Lovelace says he’s unaware of the bill, but he thinks it is hard to say whether new, stricter laws will deter bad actors from making swatting calls, because he says some people are simply seeking to create chaos.
“There are just radical people out there that want to see social chaos and just want to keep people on edge all the time,”said Lovelace.
LB-1020 will be heard by the Banking Commerce and Insurance Committee on Friday afternoon. In Norfolk Tyler Murphy, News Channel Nebraska.