NAUGATUCK, Conn. — Naugatuck’s police department and public schools district were victimized by a series of swatting calls on Friday, according to a release from Naugatuck police.
Swatting is an illegal prank that happens when an individual or group phones in serious, fake reports to emergency services claiming that a crime is occurring. The accusation is typically so severe that it draws an immediate armed response from law enforcement.
Police say that on Friday around 8:50 a.m., they were informed that Naugatuck High School received a phone call claiming that an armed person was on their way to the school. Police responded to the area immediately and began investigating the threat.
Precautionary actions were taken to ensure the school’s safety and security, but the threat was found to be illegitimate and of a “swatting” nature, according to police.
City Middle School then received a similar threat complaint around 11:15 a.m., police say. The threat said that an armed person was en route to the school.
Police say that shortly after they arrived at the middle school, another threat was received at Western Elementary School. Police responded to both locations immediately, ensuring the safety of the students and staff at each school.
Both threats were found to be non-credible, and police say there is no threat to the community. The police department says that the continued safety of students and staff remains a priority and that a police presence will be visible throughout the school district.
“We commend the actions of students and staff at the schools for following protocol and the quick response by our officers,” the police department said in a release.
Police say their investigation is active and ongoing as they work to determine the origin of the swatting calls. The Federal Bureau of Investigation New Haven Division has also been informed about the threats and will assist in the investigation.
Last month, on students’ first day back for school, a threat prompting a police investigation at City Middle School was found to be non-credible.
Earlier this summer, a bomb threat led to the evacuation of the Naugatuck Walmart.
Any information regarding these incidents involving the schools can be reported to the Naugatuck PIO at pio@naugatuckpd.org. The police department itself can be reached at 203-729-5222.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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