Sen. Charles Schumer is pushing for tougher penalties against those convicted of "swatting."

Middletown School District Superintendent Ken Eastwood stood with Schumer Monday as the senator spoke about proposed legislation to crack down on swatting, which usually involves phony threats made to police departments in an effort to get SWAT teams to respond.

Middletown schools were the target of threats last spring and two more last month.

The Orange County district attorney said that while those incidents are still being investigated, swatting cases can be difficult to prosecute.

Schumer said he is supporting legislation that would make it illegal to disguise caller ID over Skype or Internet phones.

"The swatting perpetrator will have to pay the cost to whomever incurred them, to the locality, the business, the school district," Schumer said.

If Schumer's legislation is approved, anyone convicted of swatting could face up to eight years in prison.