Beaumont, CA - On July 27, 2021, at approximately 11:29 p.m., our dispatchers received a swatting call involving a residence in the 1400 block of Poppy Court. Swatting, is a criminal harassment tactic of sending police and other emergency personnel to another person’s address. Typically the caller will falsely report bomb threats, homicides, hostage situations, etc. in order to elicit a major tactical response from first responders.
In this case the caller reported he had just shot his wife and wanted to blow up his home and kill himself. Officers responded to the area, as they attempted to gather further details and contact residents at the home in question. Ultimately officers were able to make contact with the residents and determine the call was a hoax.
Officers cleared the area, however the origins of the call are still being investigated. There was no threat to the public or the residents of the home, nor were there any reported injuries.
Making false reports to emergency services is a criminal offense, punishable by fines and imprisonment. These types of calls are dangerous both to law enforcement officers and the innocent homeowners who encounter a large police presence at their home. In addition, it wastes city and county tax dollars when responding to a false report of a serious law enforcement emergency. In California, swatters bear the full cost of the response which can lead to fines up to $10,000. If anyone has any information about this incident, you are encouraged to contact the Beaumont Police Department at 951-769-8500.