Jackson schools targeted in suspected nationwide swatting campaign

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 8:49 pm

Jackson Schools Targeted in Suspected Nationwide Swatting Campaign

Jackson Public Schools (JPS) in Jackson, Michigan, are grappling with a series of threatening hoax calls, potentially linked to a nationwide "swatting" campaign. School officials confirmed that three consecutive days of lockdowns were triggered by false reports of emergencies, prompting armed police responses.

Superintendent Jeff Beal stated in a Facebook post that the Middle School at Parkside and Cascades School were locked down on Friday, May 9th, due to an attempted swatting incident. Parkside was also targeted earlier in the week on Wednesday, May 7th, and Thursday, May 8th. Authorities suspect a 911 call made on April 15th, also targeting Parkside, is connected to the recent calls, with both featuring a similar female voice.

"Swatting" involves making a false report to law enforcement to elicit a large police presence. Police believe the same individuals are targeting JPS and other schools across the country. The Jackson Police Department, with support from city, state, and federal resources, is actively investigating the threats. School resource officers will increase their presence at Parkside and Cascades this week.

Despite the hoaxes, the district's policy mandates immediate lockdowns upon receiving any threat. While the threats proved unfounded, the fear and disruption caused were significant. The district is providing support for students and staff, including access to teachers and counselors.

BNN's Perspective:

While the disruption caused by these swatting incidents is undeniably concerning, the swift response from law enforcement and the school district's adherence to safety protocols are reassuring. It's crucial to balance the need for heightened security with the importance of minimizing disruption to students' education and well-being. The investigation must be thorough to identify and prosecute those responsible, deterring future incidents and ensuring the safety of our schools.

Keywords: Jackson Public Schools, JPS, swatting, school threats, lockdown, Parkside Middle School, Cascades School, Jeff Beal, Chris Simpson, hoax calls, police investigation, school safety, Michigan, nationwide, emergency, false report, armed police response, student safety, school security, Jackson, Michigan news

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