No threats made in Allamakee County, but local school districts still take action in response to “swatting” calls

Tuesday, March 21, nearly three dozen school districts across the state of Iowa received what are being referred to as “swatting” telephone calls, which are described as messages of what turn out to be fake threats of school shootings or other harm. The calls are made in an effort to try and get a large police gathering at one location, and they have been occurring across the nation over the past several months.

Although many of the schools reacted accordingly throughout the state of Iowa on that March 21 date, no threats were ever realized or any harm reported. Two area school districts, Decorah and MFL/MarMac, each received such threatening messages at their respective high schools, prompting action by local authorities in each case, with no threats realized in either scenario.

Although none of those “swatting” calls were received by any schools or agencies in Allamakee County, both the Eastern Allamakee and Allamakee Community School Districts each took action to notify parents and other district residents by text or voice message that the school districts were aware of the situation happening within the state and were in contact with local law enforcement. Classes were held as usual within each of those two school districts.

Dr. Dale Crozier, shared Superintendent for both the MFL/MarMac and the Eastern Allamakee Community School (EACS) Districts, said the action taken in each of the school districts he oversees was different, but all was done in the best interest of keeping everyone safe. Since MFL/MarMac did receive a “swatting” call, local law enforcement responded immediately to school buildings there.

“I worked with both districts, and directly with Kee High School Principal (and Superintendent Elect) Murray at EACS and High School Principal Meyer at MFL/MarMac,” Dr. Crozier explained. “The two districts had two different situations and we handled both differently, as the situation demanded different solutions. At EACS, we informed the parents with a text and voice message similar to many other districts that did not receive a swatting call. At MFL/MarMac, we informed parents that we did receive such a call and we allowed parents who wanted to excuse their child do so without being counted absent. I was very pleased with how quickly local law enforcement responded.  The police stayed and gave us a police presence at the high school all day. The local police have been great to work with in both districts, and I am glad to see us all working together in these situations.”

With the Decorah High School also receiving a similar “swatting” call as what MFL/MarMac had received, authorities also responded in that community. A statement released by the Decorah Police Department says that at approximately 10:20 a.m. that Tuesday, the Winneshiek County Dispatch Center received an email from Homeland Security in reference to a number of “swatting” calls being reported throughout the state of Iowa.

The statement further explained that shortly after that email was received, the Decorah Police Department Dispatch Center also received one of the calls reporting an incident at the Decorah High School. Decorah Police responded to the Decorah High School and worked with school officials in making sure there was no actual incident and that the location was safe.

Although neither the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) nor any dispatch center in Allamakee County received a direct “swatting” call, ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis said school officials felt it was still in the best interest of district patrons to be made aware of the situation. The school district used its School Alert texting system to send out a message to all those signed up for that service that is also used for school delays and cancellations, among other matters.

“I received a heads-up from the Decorah Superintendent (Tuesday) at 10:29 a.m. that this swatting event was going around,” Mathis said. “I immediately visited with my building offices and local authorities to make them aware of the situation. I then sent an email to staff to make them aware of the situation. Minutes later, I used our School Alert system to let our public know that this was going on.

“While we did not receive any threats here at the school, nor did our law enforcement partners, I knew that it was a matter of time before the public would hear about it through social media or other sources,” Mathis further explained. “I wanted to assure our patrons that we were aware of the situation and were at a heightened alert level. We try our best to be transparent and notify our public of what is happening. We certainly take all threats seriously.”

Mathis further finalized his thoughts, which are shared by many in this situation. “It is sad that there were false threats made around the state, as it causes a great deal of anxiety and fear,” he shared. “I am thankful for the community that we live in and the great partnership we have with our law enforcement partners.”