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Watching a "Swatting" Slowly Unfold

Posted by samzenpus on from the in-gory-detail dept.

netbuzz writes That online gamers have been victimized has unfortunately allowed us to see what "swatting" looks like from the perspective of the target: terrifying and potentially deadly. A similar type of criminally unnecessary SWAT scene played out Saturday night when a caller to police in Hopkinton, Mass., claimed to be holed up in the town's closed public library with two hostages and a bomb. The library stands within eyesight of the starting line for the Boston Marathon. An editor for Network World, there by happenstance, watched for two hours, and, while it was a hoax and no one was hurt, his account highlights the disruption and wastefulness these crimes inflict.

5 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. Domestic Terrorism? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Would it be overkill to consider swatting a form of domestic terrorism?

    It places people in imminent threat of bodily harm, definitely spreads fear - and the one that seems to tip the scales for me is that it intentionally disrupts the police's ability to respond to real threats and is basically derailing society's ability to defend itself.

    Okay, labeling it terrorism would probably be too much, but things like swatting strike me as attacks on society itself - which to me falls under my own definition of terrorism.

  2. Re:call the library ? by itzly · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why would the hostage taker first call 911 to say there's a hostage situation, and then deny it when they call him back ?

  3. Re: call the library ? by tomkost · · Score: 3, Interesting

    While I agree they can't take chances with calling, you are unfortunately wrong about them being sued. Well, they could be sued, but there is not much chance of success. The SCOTUS has already ruled that the police have no obligation to protect you as an individual, merely "society at large"... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W...

  4. "Swatting" doesn't capture the crime. by hey! · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Better to call it "terrorism by proxy".

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  5. Re:Completely and utterly false explanation... by Sir_Eptishous · · Score: 4, Interesting

    and it makes our existence more coarse.

    We are living in the fall of The Republic and the beginning of The Empire.
    This is similar to how for hundreds of years it was forbidden for Roman Troops to enter the city. Then they did.
    It was forbidden to go armed into The Forum. Then they did.
    It was forbidden to go armed into The Senate. Then they did.

    --
    We play the game with the bravery of being out of range