When a “Prank” Sparks a Panic: The Growing Challenge of AI-Fuelled Hoaxes for Public Safety Communicators

Several recent news stories have shown a trend that should concern every public-safety communicator and every city manager.

People are using AI tools and staged videos to create fake emergencies that appear convincing enough to trigger genuine public alarm. A fabricated home-invasion clip, edited footage presented as real violence, and scripted “emergency” skits are all being shared as entertainment without any regard for the consequences.

These aren’t harmless online antics. When false emergencies spread quickly, our communities feel it—through 911 call spikes, resident anxiety, officer deployment, media escalation, and reputational risk for the city.

Why City Agencies Should Pay Attention

When a convincing fake video circulates locally, residents naturally look to their city’s official channels for clarity. If we have no awareness of the content until after it spreads, we start on the back foot.

This creates three challenges:

• Public confidence: residents assume the incident is real until told otherwise.

• Operational strain: emergency communications centres may experience increased call volume.

• Resource diversion: police or fire may need to verify locations or answer public concern.

A single “prank” can pull an entire system off course.

What Has Changed

Hoaxes are no longer grainy or obviously staged. With easy AI editing:

• sounds of gunshots or alarms can be added convincingly;

• videos can appear to come from security cameras;

• dialogue can be manipulated to create the impression of a real emergency;

• captions can mimic a city or police communication style.

When it looks authentic, the public treats it as authentic.

How City Communicators Can Prepare

1. Strengthen internal verification lines

Create simple, fast routes to check unusual claims:

• a direct contact in dispatch,

• a designated duty supervisor,

• and a clear “confirm or rule out” process when false incident reports circulate.

Having this ready reduces both confusion and delay.

2. Draft quick-response messages in advance

Just as cities prepare for severe weather or major events, it’s time to build short statements for misinformation-related incidents, such as:

• clarifying that a circulating video is not connected to any local event;

• reassuring residents that no active threat exists;

• reminding the community where to find verified updates.

Quick clarity reduces unnecessary alarm.

3. Offer public guidance on spotting false emergencies

A city-branded reminder can help residents pause before sharing unverified content. Focus on:

• checking official city or agency accounts first,

• avoiding resharing dramatic claims without verification,

• and using 911 for real emergencies, not online panic.

This strengthens community resilience without placing blame.

The Practical Next Step

City communicators don’t need to track every rumour, but they do need a steady approach for when a viral “emergency” lands in their jurisdiction. The combination of early awareness, coordinated internal checks, and clear outward communication helps calm concerns quickly.

It comes down to readiness: knowing who to call internally, knowing how to respond externally, and knowing how to guide your community through an information environment where pranks can look like real emergencies.