‘Swatting’ Prompts Lockdown At School District In Mercer County Friday

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Hamilton High School West was placed into lockdown on Friday following two hoax 911 calls.

One of the calls resulted in the school being moved to shelter in place and the other prompted a lockdown, with a large police presence inside and outside the school, Superintendent Scott Rocco said.

“Neither of these calls were real. They have been deemed a hoax. Neither of these calls were generated inside of our school. At no time were any of our students or staff in any danger,” Rocco said in a message to the community. “Although that is a relief, it does not lessen the fear or scared feelings of our students and staff.”

On Friday “swatting” calls were made to several New Jersey school districts including East Brunswick, Barnegat and Tom Rivers.

Rocco thanked the faculty and staff for ensuring students’ safety. He also thanked the Hamilton Township Police Department for their quick response.

“We take school safety very seriously in our district. We have safety plans and we practice those plans. Our police department also works collaboratively with us in our planning, drills, and situations that arise in our district,” Rocco said.

“That being said, our best safety measures are when our students, staff, and community say something if they see, hear or know of a problem. Please continue to do so.”

What Is Swatting?

"Swatting" involves making a hoax 911 call to law enforcement to provoke a large response, such as SWAT teams.

"Swatters" often make fake reports of hostages about to be executed or bombs about to go off, according to the FBI. The hoax calls are made for "bragging rights and ego,"the FBI said.

These hoax calls place communities in danger, as they take away responders from real emergencies, the FBI said.

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