Another Domestic Terrorism Tactic Exposed

Swat-ing.

A number of conservative bloggers allege they have been targeted through the use of harassment tactics such as SWAT-ting (fooling 911 operators into sending emergency teams to their homes), in retaliation for posts they have written, and now Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., has stepped into the matter. He has sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to investigate the SWAT-ting cases to see if federal laws have been violated.
“I am writing with concern regarding recent reports that several members of the community of online political commentators have been targeted with harassing and frightening actions. Any potentially criminal action that incites fear, seeks to silence a dissenting opinion, and collaterally wastes the resources of law enforcement should be given close scrutiny at all levels,” Chambliss wrote in the letter.

Isn't making false 911 calls a crime? Surely it should be. And, don't 911 centers have caller ID, or other ability to locate the caller? When one of these calls is made every effort should be immediately made to locate and detain the caller; the severest penalties should follow. Such calls not only serve the intended intimidation purposes but also waste community resources and stress a much needed emergency response system. Gitmo would be too good for these terrorists.

The FBI has investigated a number of SWAT-ting incidents in the past.  In 2009, Carlton Nalley was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to offenses related to a SWAT-ting conspiracy in Fort Worth, Texas.

Well, that's a start.


Note: Just noticed, corrected error in spelling terrorism in headline. 6:33am 6/8/12.

Update: Florida Congresswoman calls for DOJ investigation.

“My concern is someone is going to get hurt,” Rep. Adams told me on Friday. “It’s very dangerous for the people living in the home that didn’t call 911, because they have no awareness whatsoever that something like that had happened. So they open the door to law enforcement whether it’s with or without guns drawn.”
“It’s a danger to the law enforcement agency that is being sent there, and it’s also a danger to the people in the community, because you’re pulling people away from what could be a real emergency.”