Rep. Wright: 2x SWAT teams called for school pranks

File photo: most dangerous
By Oregon State Representative Boomer Wright
Newletter Excepet 

Earlier last week, hundreds of students, teachers, and their families panicked after an active shooter threat was made at Silverton High School. The school went into lockdown and police officers from multiple agencies arrived at the scene, only to determine it was a prank, also known as ‘swatting.’

FOX12: Silverton High School cancels Friday classes, events after 2 ‘swatting’ incidents

Swatting occurs when someone makes a false emergency report to send law enforcement—often a SWAT team—to an unsuspecting person’s home, school, or place of worship. What some may see as a prank can quickly become deadly.

According to the Educator’s School Safety Network, there was a 546% increase in the number of false active shooter reports from the year 2018/2019 to the year 2022/2023, in which there were more than 446 false reports.

Representative Darcey Edwards from Banks, introduced HB 3935 this session that would make swatting a felony in Oregon, bringing real consequences to those who abuse our emergency systems and put lives at risk. Currently in Oregon, making a false report is considered a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by 10-30 days in jail.

In addition to the upgraded felony charge, House Bill 3935 would make swatting punishable by 5-10 years in jail and/or a $125,000-$250,000 fine, or both.

HB 3935, that died in committee just two days prior to the swatting incident in Silverton, which has renewed support for this concept.

As a priority bill, Rep. Wright is introducing a new swatting bill (HB 3969) with Rep. Edwards. HB 3969 will carry forth the same upgraded felony charges for swatting punishable by 5-10 years in jail and/or a $125,000-$250,000 fine, or both.

We owe it to our schools and communities to act. HB 3969 is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to a growing public safety threat.