SPD offers new process for Seattle residents concerned about 'swatting'

SEATTLE — The Seattle Police 911 Center is offering Seattle residents a new process to help curb concerns over ‘swatting.’

"Swatting is the act of creating a hoax 911 call typically involving hostages, gunfire or other acts of extreme violence, with the goal of diverting emergency public safety resources to an unsuspecting person's residence," according to the Seattle Police Department.

We've seen incidents of swatting in Lake Stevens and Federal Way, and a case of swatting in late 2017 turned deadly in Witchita, Kansas when police shot a man after receiving what turned out to be a swatting call.

Workers in the tech, video game and/or online broadcasting industries may be the target of swatters.

However, Seattle residents now have the option of registering their address with the Seattle Police 911 Center through a Rave Facility profile to "improve the quality of information officers receive as they respond to potentially sensitive incidents."

“One of my priorities as Seattle Police Chief is to create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Our new anti-swatting protocol is a reflection of this. We heard the concerns of our community members, and made small adjustments to our business practices. The goal is to empower affected community members with a confidential way to share specific swatting concerns with our 911 Center. Seattle police officers deserve to have the best information available as they respond to sensitive calls for service,” Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said.

Click here for the 10 steps Seattle residents can take to create a Rave Facility Profile.

The @SeattlePD 911 Center has a new process that allows Seattle residents to register their concerns about swatting. Swatting is the act of creating a hoax 911 call to divert police resources to an unsuspecting person’s residence. Watch the PSA here: https://t.co/N016IWnU5n
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) October 1, 2018