Local

FBI continues to investigate threats made to schools including Mahoning Valley sites

By Staff report

December 11, 2023 1:49 PM

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate bomb threats that were sent to school districts around the country, including Mahoning Valley schools in Youngstown, Austintown Fitch, Sebring, Newton Falls and Champion.

These have been identified as hoaxes and swatting, since they were sent to multiple districts.

“The FBI is aware of the numerous hoax incidents wherein a bomb threat at a school is made,” FBI Media Representative Kimberly Schwarting said. “The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.”

“The safety of our scholars and staff is of the utmost importance. Although there is no immediate credible threat, we take any incidents seriously, and they are urgently addressed,” said Stacy Quiñones, Communications and Public Relations Director of Youngstown City School District. “We understand situations like this can cause anxiety and concern. The district ensures that measurable steps are always in place to provide a safe environment for all.

What is swatting?

Swatting is a criminal activity by an individual (or group) who knowingly provides false information about a possible threat to life by making a call to any emergency service agency to elicit an emergency response to an ongoing critical incident. Incidents typically produce the deployment of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units, bomb squads, and other police units, as well as the evacuations of schools, businesses and residences.

The individuals who engage in this activity use technology to make it appear that the emergency call is coming from the victim’s phone. Sometimes swatting is done for revenge, sometimes as a prank. It is a serious crime that has potentially dangerous consequences.

Traditionally, law enforcement has seen swatters directing their actions toward individuals and residences. Increasingly, the FBI sees swatters targeting public places such as airports, schools, and businesses.

Why is it a problem?

The FBI takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. Swatting is expensive. It can cost thousands of dollars every time a SWAT team is called to respond.

What can people do if they or their business receives a threat call?

If you receive a swatting threat or information that an individual is planning to engage in swatting, then report it to local law enforcement immediately.

To help mitigate swatting attacks to your business, the FBI recommends having a procedure in place. The best policy that the private sector can practice when it comes to swatting is to be aware of the issue and to help provide as much information to law enforcement as possible.