June 24, 2015

FBI In On Effort To Solve Swatting, Police Tell Parents

Describing a series of phone threats to Princeton schools and other local institutions as “terrorism,” Police Chief Nick Sutter told concerned parents and members of the public last week that the situation, known as “swatting” because it mobilizes members of police SWAT teams, is being taken very seriously. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies are assisting local police in trying to determine who is behind the actions.

Mr. Sutter was joined by Mayor Liz Lempert, Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane, town administrator Marc Dashield, Councilwoman Heather Howard, and Lieutenant Robert Toole at a public meeting Thursday at John Witherspoon Middle School. “I understand the stress you feel,” Ms. Lempert said to the the assembled parents, “not just as mayor, but as a parent.”

Mr. Sutter, the father of three boys in a neighboring district that has also been receiving the threats, said that resources on the state and national level are being utilized in efforts to combat the ongoing incidents. There have been approximately 14 threats to Princeton since January, six of which have been directed at public schools. Recently, Mr. Sutter said, there were 19 threats made in New Jersey on the same day.

“We’re taking a heavy hit here in Princeton,” Mr. Sutter said. “But these are happening all over the country, from private homes to The White House.”

Calls have come in either pre-recorded or via computer synthesizers, through Internet-based phones that do not have phone numbers that can be traced. While all of the threats so far have been considered hoaxes, every one is treated as if it were real. The trend started among the video game community, Mr. Sutter said. Users would seek revenge against other gamers by calling in threats and then watching police response live from the video camera in their home computers.

“Then, they’d get recognition for doing it,” Mr. Sutter said. “But now, they’ve gone to a different level.”

When calls come in, they threaten “a horrible act,” Mr. Sutter said. “It may be repeated, or it disconnects.” Police “get in and get out and make it as safe as possible” in response to the calls, which
have threatened not only schools but stores, malls, and private residences. The FBI is helping to coordinate the investigation under one umbrella, which is helpful, he added, and regular intelligence briefings are held.

Mr. Cochrane said that since April 28, threats have come in to Riverside and Johnson Park elementary schools, John Witherspoon Middle School, and Princeton High School.

Two of the threats to schools have resulted in lockdowns, including one which indicated that a person was in the building.

The mother of two high school students, one of whom is especially rattled by the calls, asked how to get her son some help. Mr. Cochrane responded that counselors, social workers, and psychologists are all available. Another parent said while she appreciates the work the police have been doing, she feels the response to the incidents is reactive rather than proactive.

Mr. Sutter assured her that the approach is proactive. “We have officers at the schools every single day,” he said. “I’m very confident that the way we’re responding is the most effective way.”

Officials told parents that a plan is in place at Community Pool, and one was also developed for Princeton High School’s graduation exercises, which took place Tuesday. Private and charter schools in the area are also being considered by police in plans for responding to threats. The week before the meeting, some 100 representatives from different law enforcement agencies gathered in Princeton to talk about the investigations and map out next steps.

“These perpetrators are aimed at doing one thing: disrupting our lives and creating fear and terror,” said Mr. Sutter. “It is being treated as the most serious of acts.”