Lawmakers in California have introduced a bill hoping to crack down on a string of pranks called "swatting." The way "swatting" works is someone contacts 911 to report a serious crime or threat at someone else's house, but it turns out to be fake. The prank shows no signs of slowing down.
Last Friday, officers went to Justin Timberlake's Hollywood Hills home after someone reported shots were fired. Police also rushed to Selena Gomez's home in Tarzana after a 911 caller said someone had been killed. Both calls were a hoax.
Not only is "swatting" a problem to celebrities, it's a drain on resources. State Sen. Ted Lieu said just one "swatting" incident costs around ten thousand dollars to deal with.
Commander Andy Smith from the LAPD is here to talk about how authorities deals with "swatting."
California lawmakers introduce bill to combat 911 'swatting' pranks
Recently on Take Two
-
Upland's Plane Problem: Why Small Aircrafts Are Accident-Prone
December 29, 2019 -
-
LA’s Indigenous Community Looks At It’s Past, Present and Future
October 25, 2019
About Take Two
Airs Weekdays 2 to 3 p.m.Join Take Two each weekday at 9 AM where we’ll translate the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that people are talking about. Find us on 89.3 KPCC, hosted by A Martinez.

Listen to story
07:22
Related links
Take Two for April 10, 2013
- Immigration reform debate heats up in DC
- What could Obama's new budget mean for student loan debt?
- Consumers are using more screens, and companies adapt (poll)
- Broadcasters up in arms over signal streaming service
- Sports Roundup: NCAA, Jackie Robinson, Lakers and more
- Retired NBA player John Amaechi on coming out in pro sports
- RNC meeting in Los Angeles to set new rules, strategy for future elections
- California lawmakers introduce bill to combat 911 'swatting' pranks
- Villaraigosa calls out Greuel and Garcetti in final State of the City address
- Budget cuts force grounding of Navy's Blue Angels air show
- Scientist defends federal funding of duck genitalia study
- Chris' Collection: Canned 'genuine' Los Angeles smog from the 1950s
- Grand Canyon mules to stop delivering packages
Enjoy Take Two? Try KPCC’s other programs.
See all of our programs