Several schools across Montgomery County were placed on lockdown or restricted access Monday morning after receiving threatening phone calls that authorities say were part of a coordinated “swatting” hoax.
Officials confirmed that schools in multiple districts were affected, including Hatboro-Horsham School District, where Hatboro-Horsham High School and Simmons Elementary School were placed on lockdown around 10 a.m. out of an abundance of caution.
While Upper Dublin officials said there is currently no threat to the public, they did issue a warning to families in the district.
"At this time, Upper Dublin School District has not received any such calls," school officials wrote. "However, given the volume and consistency of these reports across the region, we feel it is important to keep our community informed.
"Our Safety and Security teams are in close communication with the Upper Dublin Police Department and will continue to monitor the situation. Any threats will be taken seriously, reported immediately to the UDPD, and addressed in accordance with established district safety protocols."
In the Colonial School District, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School also received a similar threat. Police conducted a sweep of the campus and determined there was no credible danger.
Across the county, officials emphasized that all reported threats were quickly identified as hoaxes, and no injuries were reported. Students and staff remained safe, though movement in and out of school buildings was temporarily restricted in some locations.
Authorities say the incidents were part of a broader pattern affecting schools in neighboring counties, including Bucks and Chester, with many of the calls appearing to originate from out-of-state numbers.
Police departments maintained an increased presence at affected schools throughout the day as a precaution while investigations continued.
Swatting calls, false reports of serious emergencies intended to prompt a large law enforcement response, are illegal and can carry significant criminal penalties. Officials are working to identify those responsible.
