Cedar Rapids police respond to swatting call at Jefferson High School

CEDAR RAPIDS — A threat that was reported at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids Friday morning was a false alarm, according to the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Cedar Rapids police and firefighters responded to the reported threat at about 10:45 a.m. Friday. Safety protocols, including a school lock down, were enacted at the school while police performed a sweep of the premises.

No active threat was found, and police believe the threat was a swatting call, or a false report of a serious crime made with the goal of drawing out a large law enforcement response and creating chaos.

The lock down was lifted as of 11:25 a.m. and students were allowed to leave the school, if desired.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District sent out an email Friday informing parents about the incident.

“We would like to assure you that, as always, the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. We would like to thank CRPD for their actions and swift response to this incident,” the email states.

Earlier this year, several swatting calls were made at roughly the same time at schools across the state, including Marion High School. These calls came on Jan. 17, the same day that Iowa House lawmakers advanced a bill making it a felony to make a false report of a serious crime to law enforcement.

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