“Swatting” someone refers to getting law enforcement (usually SWAT teams) to another person usually for malice related reasons. It is common for large streamers to face this as people want to capture their reactions on video and sometimes private details.
In the United States, there are three general circumstances in which a warrant isn’t required: Exigent circumstances, plainview, and consent.
Exigent circumstances are situations where context necessitates law enforcement to act quickly. A fire, actively running after a suspect (hot pursuit), a hostage situation, etc.
Plainview is when an illegal act or substance is clearly visible, like drugs in a bag or domestic violence through a window.
Consent is pretty self explanatory; an individual voluntarily allows law enforcement to do what they need to.
With this in mind, how does swatting someone work? How can someone, with no evidence, call law enforcement and get them to break down someone else’s door and why can’t the victim simply refuse on the basis of the above situations not applying?
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Swatting meant something else 20 years ago. Back then some guy called the cops and blocked his number. They were a decent actor, and convinced 911 there was a bomb, kidnap victim, somebody was being held at gunpoint in a house. Ten cop cars showed up and busted into your house. That’s what swatting is.
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