Hunter
03/21/23
Police say the Iowa City Community School District and other area schools have been the victims of “swatting calls” being made across the country.
An e-mail to families and staff from Superintendent Matt Degner said the calls are made to law enforcement or directly to schools, businesses, public libraries, or other entities where the public gathers. These calls are an attempt to trigger the dispatch of emergency services to a particular address.
The calls reference active shooter situations, and in the case of Muscatine High School, referenced a staff member’s name that didn’t exist in the school or in the entire district.
Iowa City Police say the calls aren’t credible and there is no reason for concern; but Muscatine Police, out of an abundance of caution, swept the entire building before letting the school day continue. The nearby Mulberry Elementary School was temporarily locked down due to its proximity to the high school.
Clinton High School says the call was made before school and early arriving students sheltered in place while police swept the building. There was no evidence of a shooting; class was canceled at the school for the day.
Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel also said Clear Creek Amana High School received a swatting call Tuesday morning.