Numerous Rhode Island schools receive ‘swatting’ calls

WESTERLY, R.I. (WLNE) — Numerous schools in Rhode Island, including in Westerly, received “swatting” calls Monday morning.

Westerly Public Schools said the high school received a hoax phone threat just before 9 a.m., causing other schools in the district to shelter in place.

“The buildings have been cleared to return to regular activity,” said school officials.

Police said similar calls were made to other school districts, including in Barrington, Chariho, Cranston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, and Portsmouth.

All the calls are believed to be part of a larger hoaxing threat.

Last month, more than a dozen “swatting” threats were made against Massachusetts schools. The FBI and Massachusetts State Police were later called to help track down who made the anonymous calls.