Talks Increase to Combat Swatting Pranks in L.A.

The Los Angeles Public Safety Committee today approved looking into ways to deter further occurrences of the costly and potentially dangerous "swatting" prank, including demanding restitution from the perpetrators and offering rewards for their capture and conviction.

Numerous high-profile Los Angeles residents, including pop singers and actors, have been the victims in recent months of false reports of violent crime, prompting SWAT officers to respond to their homes with guns drawn.

On April 4, two false crimes were reported at singer Rihanna's Pacific Palisades home, which prompted heavy police ground and air response.

The motion, introduced by Councilman Paul Koretz and seconded by Councilman Mitch Englander, was embraced by fellow committee member and Councilman Joe Buscaino.

"Someone at one point will get seriously hurt or killed. There's no question," Buscaino said today.

The motion asks that the city attorney write an ordinance to require the pranksters to pay restitution, and to have the attorney report back on a process for offering reward money. It also instructs the police department to report back on other ways to deter swatting.

Los Angeles police representatives today said 400 swatting incidences have occurred around the country, but "clearly the city of Los Angeles is getting hit the hardest."

Earlier this month, police responded to four incidences in the span of a week. False reports were made of an assault at the home of record producer and rapper Sean Combs, a shooting at Rihanna's home, shots fired at pop singer and actor Justin Timberlake's home and a homicide at singer Selena Gomez's Encino home.

LAPD Cmdr. John Sherman told the committee today that the department decided not to  publicize the swatting incidences because many of the pranksters are motivated by the "notoriety" gained from seeing the dramatic SWAT responses unfold in the media.

Last weekend, State Sen. Ted Lieu -- who authored a proposed state law to jail pranksters who report hoax home invasions or shootings -- found his wife ordered out of their home by police with guns drawn in one of these "swatting" incidences.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, has also introduced an anti- "swatting" bill that would enact harsher penalties for those who are convicted of making false police reports.

The legislator's spokesman, Kevin Liao, said the bill was approved unanimously in the Assembly's public safety committee and is headed to appropriations committee, which is chaired by Gatto.

The City Council is expected to take up Koretz's motion next week, along with an amendment by Buscaino to require the perpetrator of the swatting prank to also foot the bill for the reward money.

"We have to send a message to these knuckleheads that enough is enough," Buscaino said.

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