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Calgary police charge two men after multiple swatting calls

CALGARY — Police in Calgary have charged two men in relation to multiple swatting calls.

Swatting is the reporting of false emergencies to get police, particularly SWAT teams, to respond to specific locations.

Police say one of the men allegedly made 23 swatting calls in downtown Calgary between June 4 and July 4.

Investigators suspect he is responsible for another eight swatting calls and 55 calls to 911, although those calls did not result in charges.

Police estimate all of the calls cost $180,000 in officer hours.

In an unrelated case last month, police say multiple swatting calls were made about a gunman in a corporate high-rise, which caused about 50 employees to hide or flee from the building.

The two accused men face charges of public mischief and making false statements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2019.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2019