Federal Guidance Aims to Reduce Swatting in Schools

Swatting incidents in K-12 schools fell 72% from the 2022-23 school year to the 2024-25 school year, dropping from 446 incidents to just 124. This 2024-25 figure also marks a 22% decrease from the 158 incidents recorded in the 2023-24 school year.

Swatting is a false report of a violent crime intended to trigger a heavy law enforcement response. At schools, these hoaxes often force shelter-in-place or lockdown orders. They cause trauma, lost instructional time, and cost taxpayers millions in emergency response and disruption.

Federal agencies issue voluntary guidance to prevent false threats

On Sept. 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice issued joint, voluntary guidance to help schools address swatting. The guidance includes resources from various federal agencies like the FBI.

It recommends that schools establish a multidisciplinary threat assessment team to evaluate anonymous threats. Designating a single point person to lead communications, notify law enforcement, and evaluate threat levels is also advised.

The document emphasizes training staff and educating communities on the typical characteristics of swatting events to detect false threats sooner. Training should extend to any school or college employee who might receive or answer a swatting report. Conducting training exercises to familiarize leaders with emergency decision-making protocols is another key recommendation.

Finally, the guidance calls for strong partnerships between on-campus officials and external law enforcement to ensure clear communication lines during a crisis.

Officials stress commitment to school safety and collaboration

Nicholas Kent, under secretary at the Education Department, and Stanley Woodward Jr., associate attorney general at the DOJ, announced the guidance. They stated the agencies plan to provide additional guidance when available and necessary.

"We are committed to the safety of students, teachers, and staff across the country and take all incidents of swatting and violence seriously," Kent and Woodward said. They added, "We welcome further conversations with educational institutions to determine how best to solve this crisis, which increasingly affects people and organizations across the country."

Factors behind the recent decline in incidents

The Educator’s School Safety Network, which compiled the incident data, noted it was difficult to pinpoint a single reason for the sharp decline. The network suggested that increased prosecution of offenders is one factor. Swatting offenders can violate multiple federal criminal laws in addition to state statutes.

The new federal guidance recommends training for any school or college staff who may receive or answer a swatting report.