Swatting Hoax Targets Jewish Institutions Across State, Police Respond to Hollywood Synagogue

Swatting Incident at Temple Beth

• 🚨 Hollywood police responded to Temple Bethl after receiving a swatting call reporting a threat.
• 🔒 The school, which includes a preschool, was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents rushed to the facility to pick up their children amid the concern.

Investigation and Findings

• 🔍 Upon investigation, police determined there was no credible threat at the synagogue.
• 📞 Authorities are classifying the incident as a swatting call, a hoax intended to provoke a large emergency response.
• ⚖️ Increased penalties for swatting calls have recently gone into effect, and authorities are working to identify the perpetrator.

Statewide Pattern of Hoax Calls

• 🌐 A message sent to parents indicated that swatting calls were received by police departments across the state targeting various facilities.
• ✡️ Many, though not all, of these calls were directed at Jewish organizations.
• 🗓️ The incident occurred just before the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, which began the following evening.
• ✅ Fortunately, everyone involved was confirmed to be safe.
• 🕵️ The investigation into the origin of these calls is ongoing, with indications that this was not an isolated event.