'Swatting' Call Received At Greenwich Middle School: Superintendent

GREENWICH, CT — Central Middle School received a "swatting" call on Monday morning, but officials quickly discovered it was a hoax, according to Greenwich Public Schools.

In a letter to families on Monday afternoon, GPS Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones said the district's director of security and Greenwich police believe that there is no known threat to the community.

"Everyone at Central Middle School is safe and will continue on with their day as scheduled, but with an additional police presence," Jones wrote.

Similar incidents have occurred across CT on Monday.

Westport's Bedford Middle School was locked down after a swatting incident, and Middlesex Middle School in Darien sheltered in place after an electronic threat was received.

The Department of Homeland Security defines swatting as "a malicious act that can involve placing false emergency calls to emergency responders, often reporting a (false) severe, ongoing crisis at a specific location. The goal of swatting is to provoke a significant law enforcement response, creating chaos and potentially resulting in violence."