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Fairfield Officials: 'Swatting' Calls Were Empty Threats

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Despite the threatening 911 calls made last week as part of a “swatting” incident, Fairfield officials said they have found no evidence that any dangerous weapons or people were at Fairfield’s public schools.

Lt. James Perez talks to reporters last Friday, following the "swatting" incident.

Lt. James Perez talks to reporters last Friday, following the "swatting" incident.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky

“There were no actual adversaries on school property or coming to school property to do harm,” officials from the town, police, fire department and board of education said in a letter to parents Friday.

Students at all of Fairfield’s 17 public schools were put on lockdown and then dismissed early last Friday after a series of threatening phone calls were made to police and some school buildings.

The incident began when officers were called to what turned out to be a fictitious address on Black Rock Turnpike where an individual said he had killed a girlfriend and was holding hostages, police Lt. James Perez said.

Police then received more calls — of a bomb at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, pipe bombs planted at Fairfield Warde High School, and a man with an M16 assault rifle headed to Holland Hill Elementary School, according to police.

The incident alarmed parents and students, many of whom knew that the lockdowns were not just a drill.

“We understand how unnerving and upsetting this series of events has been,” the letter says. “Messages of the lockdowns, denial of access to your children, and the feeling of the lack of control caused by the unknown can be heart wrenching.”

In the letter, Fairfield officials said the town has increased police staffing, continued training, implemented infrastructure improvements and enhanced communications over the past few years to create a safe school environment.

The town and the school district, which were widely praised for their response, said they would evaluate their handling of the incident and look for ways to improve their response to future situations.

“While the investigation into this incident continues, we hope you understand we are committed to providing a high level of public safety to our school community,” the letter says. “This requires evaluation of our response and improvements for the future, making us better able to prepare, prevent and respond to your future needs.”

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