TOWN OF WALLKILL – Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18)
had a message for those who have been making threatening calls –
swatting – aimed at schools in the Middletown Enlarged City School
District – “we are going to get you!”
Surrounded by school, Wallkill and Middletown municipal and law enforcement
officials on Friday, Maloney stood in the lobby of Maple Hill School,
the target of half of the 12 swatting calls the district has received
since last fall, announcing legislation he was introducing immediately
to declare swatting as an act of domestic terrorism with stiff penalties.
He also said he is working with the FBI at the highest levels, talking
frequently with Director James Comey, specifically about the Middletown
schools situation.
Maloney and Middletown School Superintendent Kenneth Eastwood also announced
that the FCC has agreed to expedite hearings into law enforcements’
request to use federal manpower resources to access Internet and phone
and technology to catch those involved.
“Someone is going to get hurt… this is a terrifying criminal
act,” the congressman said.
Wallkill Town Supervisor Daniel Depew said the school district “is
prepared in so many ways to protect our kids.” He said as the FBI
is dealing with the issue of smart phones and privacy on the national
level, “This, in itself, is another issue like that where law enforcement
needs to tools to defend our way of life.”
Maple Hill School PTO member Victoria Lang said school officials are doing
everything in their power to protect the children.
Middletown School Supt. Dr. Kenneth Eastwood, podium, calls the
swatting “domestic terrorism.” Rep. Maloney, left, Wallkill
Supervisor
Daniel Depew and Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano listen
