LOCKPORT, N.Y. — New York State Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer visited Lockport High School Wednesday to call on federal agencies to put a stop to ‘swatting’ calls.
Last Thursday, New York state saw 36 unfounded threats – also known as swatting. Police responded to 226 schools across the state as students and teachers went into lockdown.
“That is true terror,” said Leslie Tobin, Lockport CSD school board president and parent of two students in the district. "It is true trauma [for] our students, our staff, our families and it’s very hollow to say that we’re the lucky ones when so many others were not lucky and had their families torn apart.”
Schumer proposed a three-pronged approach including:
- A full investigation of these calls by the FBI leading to the prosecution of individuals
- A push for a $10 million investment into cyber resources for these investigations
- Calling on the FBI to start tracking these incidents
“Bottom line is, swatting is no joke,” said Schumer. “It’s no little passing thing. It’s sick. It’s heartbreaking. It causes long-term damage. It’s got to stop.”
Lockport City School District is now on Easter break. Tobin said there are resources available to those in need of mental health counseling following the threats.