Published • loading... • Updated
Schools Warned to Be on the Lookout for 'Swatting' Calls Faking Bombs or Active Shooters
The guidance urges schools to train staff, set response procedures and work with law enforcement as false threat reports disrupt instruction and endanger responders.
- On Sept. 25, the Education Department and Justice Department released joint guidance to help K-12 schools and colleges prepare for and respond to swatting incidents, which federal officials labeled a "crisis."
- Swatting involves malicious actors calling 911 to report fake violent crimes, triggering police responses that cause "chaos and other harmful consequences when campuses are not well-prepared," according to the Department.
- The guidance recommends schools train staff to identify false threats, establish partnerships with law enforcement, and teach students a "Report, Don't Repost" approach to limit misinformation.
- Violating federal criminal law, swatting offenders may face significant prison sentences for interstate threatening communications or bomb threats, federal agencies warned.
- Although K-12 swatting incidents dropped to 124 during the 2024-25 school year—a 72% decrease from 2022-23—federal agencies remain committed to addressing the ongoing threat to school safety.
Insights by Ground AI
14 Articles
14 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Center
Bias Distribution
- 93% of the sources are Center
93% Center
C 93%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
