Classes stayed in session Monday at The Dalles High School after a phoned-in threat that North Wasco County School District 21 says appears to be a swatting hoax. District officials told families that students and staff were safe while law enforcement checked out the report and that school would carry on as usual unless police told them otherwise.
According to a Facebook update shared by the City of The Dalles Police Department, the district said local dispatch took the call but "does not believe the threat is credible." The City of The Dalles Police Department noted that officers are actively investigating the incident.
District leaders reiterated that "school operations will remain business as usual unless local law enforcement advises otherwise" and stressed that "the safety of students and staff" remains the top priority. Officials also pointed out that the caller mispronounced the town name, one of the details that raised suspicions the report was a hoax. Any further updates, they said, will go out through official district channels and via ParentSquare.
What swatting looks like and why it matters
Swatting is the intentional filing of a bogus report about a violent emergency in order to trigger a heavy police response. Even when it turns out to be fake, it can rattle students and staff and tie up local emergency resources. In-depth reporting has shown that swatters can hit dozens of schools in a short span, leading to lockdowns and costly, manpower-heavy responses. WIRED has examined recent swatting campaigns, and national coverage has documented similar hoax threats disrupting school districts in other parts of the country. Yahoo News reported on matching voicemail threats that prompted school closures in another region.
How the district handles emergencies
North Wasco County School District 21 directs families to sign up for ParentSquare for real-time alerts and asks parents not to call or rush to campuses during an unfolding incident so first responders can do their jobs. The district’s emergency guidance spells out what lockdown and secure procedures mean, along with how student reunification is supposed to work while officials sort out a threat. The North Wasco County School District site details those rules and communication protocols.
Authorities say the investigation into Monday’s call is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact The Dalles Police non-emergency dispatch at 541-296-2233. For school-related questions, The Dalles High School main office can be reached at 541-506-3400. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue lists additional local non-emergency contacts, and The Dalles High School provides more school contact details.
