Mich. Police Commissioner: Recent String of Swatting Calls Creates 'a Severe Threat to Public Safety'

A recent influx of phony emergency calls received by Warren police put a significant strain on department resources and endangers the community, says the city's police commissioner.

By Jameson Cook

Source Voice News, New Baltimore, Mich.

March 18, 2026

2 min read

What to know

Warren police report a recent surge in “swatting” calls—fake 9-1-1 reports of violent emergencies—that divert officers and endanger unsuspecting residents.
Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins called the incidents a dangerous misuse of emergency resources and said detectives are working to identify callers, who face felony charges and restitution.
Officials urged residents to stay calm and follow instructions if police respond to their homes, noting that officers must treat swatting calls as real threats until proven otherwise.

Warren, MI, Police Department. — Warren, MI, police has seen a recent influx of phony swatting calls, and detectives are investigating to find the callers, says the city's police commissioner.

Warren police say the department has had to respond recently to several “swatting” calls, fake 911 calls that not only cost taxpayer dollars but could endanger residents.

Police said in a news release Tuesday that have received an influx of calls falsely reporting emergency incidents taking place at homes and businesses, including a home invasion, active shooter or hostage situation with the intent of drawing a large armed police response to a location.

“Swatting is a reckless abuse of the 911 system that diverts life-saving resources away from those truly in need,” Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said in the release. “We are committed to using every available resource to identify these callers and hold them responsible.”

Police said the incidents “are far from harmless pranks,” terming them “a severe threat to public safety and the community by endangering innocent lives, as deploying tactical responses to unsuspecting residents creates a volatile environment.”

The incidents significantly strain emergency resources by diverting officers, paramedics, and dispatchers away from “real-world life-threatening emergencies,” officials said.

Hawkins added, “these incidents are an intrusion on the peace of our residents and businesses. By educating the community about these incidents and remaining calm during police responses, we can all ensure that our life-saving resources are available for those in genuine need.”

Swatting calls are being investigated by police detectives, officials said, and anyone found responsible for such a call will face felony charges as well as court-ordered financial restitution to cover the response costs of first responders, if convicted.

“We encourage residents to talk to family members, especially teenagers and young adults, about the dangers of swatting,” officials said.

Police also advised residents that if officers arrive at their home, remember that the officers must treat the call as a legitimate threat before determining it is not.

“By remaining calm and following officers’ instructions, residents help our officers resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible,” police said in the release.

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