A large police presence in Menasha is being blamed on a very dangerous practice that has sprung up in the past decade or so.
WBAY TV reports that there were officers from Menasha, Neenah, Fox Crossing, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office at a home on Tayco Street Wednesday afternoon.
However, it was determined that there was no threat as it was an incident of what is known as “swatting.”
The practice started in the online streaming world.
“Swatting” is when someone calls police to report a crime has occurred at someone’s home, typically a homicide or someone acting erratically with a weapon.
It started as a bad joke, as people live streaming themselves playing video games or having conversations with viewers would be interrupted by SWAT officers in full battle gear.
Several people have died following this practice, including a Wichita, Kansas, man in December of 2017.
Police all over the world have condemned this practice since it first popped up, noting the dangers of sending armed officers into a situation where they believe someone is armed and dangerous.
