North Dallas High School looked more like a police staging area than a campus yesterday, as dozens of Dallas officers, cruisers and a K-9 team surrounded the Uptown school just as students were returning from winter break. Streets were shut down, squad cars lined the block and parents and commuters snapped photos and videos of the scene near the main steps.
Officers began responding to the 3100 block of North Haskell Avenue at about 7:56 a.m., according to The Dallas Morning News. The outlet reported that more than 40 Dallas police units converged on the campus, police motorcycles blocked access as far back as Cityplace West Boulevard, and a police dog was brought inside the school. Students and teachers were allowed back into the building around 10 a.m., and school buses began arriving soon after.
Tip That Emptied Campus Was 'Concerning' And Fake, Police Say
In a statement to FOX4, the Dallas Police Department said the call that triggered the massive response came in as a "concerning tip." Officers evacuated students as a precaution while they searched the building.
"Students were evacuated out of an abundance of caution. It was ultimately determined to be a prank call," the department told the station. Police said there was no credible threat to students or the campus, and that officers fully cleared the building before letting normal activities resume.
First Day Back From Break Starts With Sirens
Jan. 6 marked the first day back from winter break at North Dallas High, a morning when families were already juggling alarms, carpools and class schedules. The campus calendar shows it as the official return date, and the district's campus page lists the school’s address and main contact phone number for parents trying to reach the office.
Dallas ISD had not immediately released a public statement about the incident, according to WFAA, which had crews at the scene. The station reported that, for a time, even officers and reporters on the ground were not sure what had prompted the unusually heavy police presence.
Why A 'Prank' Call Can Land You A Felony In Texas
Under Texas law, it is a crime to knowingly start, spread or pass along a false report of a bombing, fire or other emergency that is likely to cause an official response. When that false report involves a public primary or secondary school, prosecutors can pursue the case as a state jail felony, according to the Texas Penal Code.
That means a so-called prank can come with very real consequences. If prosecutors decide the facts meet the legal standard, a conviction can bring time in a state jail facility and fines, on top of the disruption and fear created for students, staff and families.
The investigation into who made the call is still underway. Investigators are reviewing dispatch records and video from the scene, The Dallas Morning News reported. Officers at the campus told reporters that the department’s communications staff was working on a news release with additional details.
