Detroit Police Investigate Swatting Hoax Targeting Jocelyn Benson

The Detroit Police Department is intensifying efforts to address the alarming rise in swatting incidents targeting Michigan officials, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Swatting involves making false emergency calls to elicit a significant law enforcement response, a tactic that has recently affected prominent political figures such as Rep. Elissa Slotkin and former Rep. Mike Rogers. The two are currently competing for Michigan's open Senate seat in the upcoming November election. At a recent campaign event, Slotkin emphasized the need for accountability in deterring swatting attempts. She stated, "The most important thing is to deter people and show that if you're going to send in these fake threats again, you're going to be held accountable by law enforcement." Slotkin underscored the importance of ongoing investigations by the Capitol Police and Michigan State Police to ensure that perpetrators face consequences for their actions. Cybersecurity expert David Derigiotis highlighted the challenges in apprehending those responsible for swatting incidents, noting that perpetrators can operate from anywhere in the world. "You could have somebody in the United Kingdom calling in a swatting threat to someone in the United States," he explained, pointing to the complexities of tracing such threats back to their sources. The Detroit Police Department's cybercrimes division is actively investigating the recent swatting attempt at Benson's residence, aiming to identify and hold accountable those behind these dangerous and disruptive acts.