Students in the Oregon School District left their buildings about 30 minutes later than usual on Friday after all district schools were put on “Secure Holds” after a threatening phone call from an unidentified number toward Oregon High School.
According to a district email sent to parents by superintendent Leslie Bergstrom, the Oregon Police Department lifted the hold at 3:55 p.m., and buses brought students home.
“OPD, in partnership with the FBI, determined that the phone call made to the Oregon High School office this afternoon originated from outside the United States,” she wrote. “This is believed to be a case of "swatting," or a fake phone call with threats intended to dispatch emergency personnel. These threats have been impacting schools around the nation this year.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. We take any and all reports of potential threats seriously, and we are making every effort to maintain an environment where students and staff feel safe. We are proud of our staff and students for following our safety protocols.
We want to thank the Oregon Police Department for their assistance and to our families for their support throughout this situation.”
All district schools were put on hold earlier in the afternoon after the receptionist at Oregon High School received a call from an anonymous number where the caller made a threat of violence toward the high school.
The Oregon Police Department asked that all OSD schools enter into a Secure Hold, which means that all doors are locked and students and staff remain inside, as police maintain a presence around the schools.
