Granite schools, Herriman police, others, alert parents to potential for hoax threats
Oct 3, 2024, 5:00 PM | Updated: 5:32 pm
A Granite School District bus is pictured outside of the Capitol in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — On Thursday the Granite School District told families they’d been notified that their schools, and others across the state, may receive “swatting” calls, or hoax threats.
A district spokesman said they received information from the Statewide Information and Analysis Center about “potential hoax threats.”
“To be clear, no credible threats have been made to Granite schools,” the district statement continued. “But we expect this hoax may circulate in our area sometime soon.”
“The purpose of these calls is to create disruption and fear while tying up emergency resources,” the district said in a statement.
Herriman police report similar potential for hoax threats
Earlier on Thursday, the Herriman City Police Department said they were aware of a “non-speccific threat” made against Herriman schools. They, too, said there was no credible threat.
Nevertheless, Herriman police said they’d have extra officers at Herriman schools on Thursday. In a Facebook post they advised students to use the SafeUT app to report anything suspicious.
The Box Elder School District also sent information to parents about the potential for hoax calls.
The Granite District, Herriman City Police, and Box Elder schools all said they’re working with law enforcement to monitor for a hoax threat.
“We are confident there is no danger to our schools. Regardless, we will take every potential threat very seriously and investigate appropriately,” the district told parents.
And the district asked parents to remind their children about the SafeUT app, where students can anonymously report what the district called “unsafe behavior.”
Students or others with information about potential threats can speak with any teacher or administrator. They can also call Granite District police at 801-481-7122.
Related suggested reading:
- School officials say report, don’t repost threats after hoax causes alarm
- Utah bill targets adults and students who swat public schools
- Multiple Utah schools received fake reports of school shooting, officials say
