January 18, 2025
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Ottawa police ensure Central School is OK after swatting threat

Threat was made at many schools across Illinois, administration says

By Derek Barichello
Ottawa police were at Central Intermediate School on Monday morning to clear and secure the building, after a swatting threat was made at many schools across Illinois.

Ottawa police were at Central Intermediate School on Monday morning to clear and secure the building, after a swatting threat was made at many schools across Illinois. (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media)

Ottawa police were at Central Intermediate School on Monday morning to clear and secure the building after a swatting threat was made at many schools across Illinois.

“At this time, the Ottawa Police Department has reassured us the building is safe for all students and staff,” the Ottawa Elementary administration said in a statement issued to parents and the public.

Classes resumed Monday.

Police Chief Brent Roalson said the OES administration notified Ottawa police of an email received by a member of the district.

“The concern was investigated and was determined to be unsubstantiated,” Roalson said. “OES Administration was notified that the building was safe to proceed with normal business. The Ottawa Police Department will continue to investigate this swatting incident. Due to the quick notification from Dr. Lee and the OES administration the Ottawa Police Department was able to swiftly address the situation. At no time were students or staff in danger.”

Around the state, South Elgin High School administrators said the district received a call about 7:40 a.m. Monday believed to be a swatting call with a bomb threat, according to WGN News.

Daniel Wright Junior High School in Lincolnshire also reported receiving a computer-recorded message with a bomb threat, according to WGN News. After evacuations, authorities in those communities deemed both schools safe.

What is swatting?

Hundreds of cases of swatting occur annually, with some using caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. The goal is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to respond to an address, according to The Associated Press.

An FBI official said in November 2022 that they believe the wave of false threats focused on schools may be coming from outside the country.

Officials said at the time that they had identified calls to about 250 colleges, 100 high schools and several junior high schools since early June falsely reporting explosive devices being planted at the schools or saying that a shooting was imminent.

The FBI said in March that the agency has monitored these growing occurrences.

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