The Vandalia Police Department released the following statement in regards to an incident involving Vandalia Schools earlier today—
On Monday February 20, 2023 at 9:58am the Vandalia Police Department (VPD) received a call from a Florida area code telephone number. The caller proceeded to make threats against the Vandalia Junior High.
The VPD with the assistance of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Vandalia Junior High School and the Vandalia Elementary School. Both buildings were evacuated and searched with no threats located. The schools then continued to operate on a soft lockdown which is to allow no unauthorized persons to enter the building.
It should be known that schools across the country have seen an increase in “swatting” calls. Swatting is a term used to describe the action of making hoax phone calls to report serious crimes to emergency services. Due to students being out of school for the holiday it is a strong possibility this is a case of swatting, however, the Vandalia Police Department and the Vandalia Community School District (VCSD) take all cases seriously and will continue to proceed as such. The VPD is often patrolling the schools at the VCSD and due to this threat there will be an increased presence.
The VPD is coordinating with the VCSD and is also being assisted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police to investigate this matter further.
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