The Los Angeles County (Calif.) Sheriff has requested the district attorney consider criminal charges after one of its stations was flooded with telephone calls last Friday from fans of rapper Game, who sent a Tweet from his cellular phone urging fans to call several telephone numbers to apply for a music internship. One of those phone numbers was a non-emergency number for the Compton sheriff’s station, which fields administrative phone calls for the district. Emergency calls are handled by a separate comm center and were not affected by the incident. In a press release, the LASO says it began receiving “hundreds” of phone calls at about 5:23 p.m. from some of Game’s 580,000 Twitter followers. The callers either hung up or asked about the music internship. “There were so many phone calls that all of the many phone lines were overwhelmed,” the press release said. “Delays in providing help included a missing person, a spousal assault, two robberies and a stolen car.”
Capt. Mike Parker said it’s unknown how many callers with actual emergencies might have called the station but were unable to reach someone. By questioning callers station personnel determined the source of the calls, and then immediately Tweeted Game to have him delete the sheriff’s office phone number. Capt. Parker said there was no response to the request. “By about 8:00 p.m. the calls tapered off to the point that desk deputies and dispatchers could handle the call volume without impeding public safety,” Parker said.
In response to reporters’s inquiries, Game said he did not send the Tweet. Instead, an associate used Game’s phone to accidentally post the Tweet while Game was at a photo shoot. The sheriff’s office is pursuing charges of making annoying or harassing phone calls via an electronic device—653m(b) PC, delaying or obstructing peace officers in the performance of their duties—148(a)(1) PC, and knowingly and maliciously disrupting or impeding communications over a public safety radio frequency—148(a)(2) PC.
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I have a hard time buying this excuse. Game should still be charged regardless of his claim that “his associate” used his phone. The twitter account belongs to Game, Game agreed to abide with the terms of service agreement when he created his Twitter account, the tweet was sent from Games account – it, and any adverse repercussions, are Games responsibility. If Game alleges that “his associate” used his phone to send out the tweet, then there should be a police report regarding the theft of Games cellphone and proof that Game attempted to disable his Twitter account. No police report, no attempt to secure the possibly compromised account – it is Games responsibility. Anyone who suffered any type of a loss or injury as a result of not being able to get through to the Compton Sheriff’s Station as a result of Games PUBLICITY STUNT – or deliberate attempt to compromise the ability of a law enforcement agency to do their job – should be encouraged to file a formal complaint with the LA County District Attorney and the LASD. If it was YOUR baby found floating in a swimming pool and you could’nt call for help because some rapper thought this was “funny,” I’m sure you’d see things differently.
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