U.S. Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH) was subjected to a “swatting” incident on Jan. 29. Police rushed to the Democrat’s northeast Ohio residence after receiving a prank call about an alleged serious incident.
Brown, who was in Washington, D.C., during the swatting incident criticized the dangerous stunt that has happened to other lawmakers, including Judge Tanya Chutkan, the the federal judge overseeing former president Donald Trump’s election interference case in Washington, D.C.
Swatting is the practice of reporting urgent crimes to bring about a strong police response. Brown’s office has contacted the U.S. Capitol police about the incident, BET
reported. So far, no arrests have been announced.“It is truly alarming that someone would attempt to harass or intimidate me in this way, while also forcing law enforcement to devote resources unnecessarily,” Brown said in a statement. “No one deserves this, and it
puts so many people at real risk, including family members, neighbors, law enforcement, and others We have got to get back to debating respectfully, respecting elections, and removing all violence and intimidation from our democracy.”The Congresswoman expressed her gratitude to the Warrensville Heights police force for their response and investigation of the hoax call.
Brown is on the list of elected officials who have endured swatting. Swatting incidents are happening
more often than not with political leaders and lawmakers being the main targets. Other political figures who have been targeted include Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.Politicians and celebrities are not the only targets, according to Cleveland.com.
In other cases, they are targeting schools. Late last year, a swatting operation sent hoax threats to more than 50 schools in Ohio and others in Texas.
Swatting has resulted in deaths of innocent people
who were shot by police, or who had a heart attack when law enforcement swarmed their home.
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