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Halifax Regional Police are investigating a fake emergency call that forced Halifax West High School into lockdown Thursday.
Someone called the school’s main office around noon on Thursday, claiming they were on school property with a weapon.
Police quickly surrounded the building, setting up roadblocks and searching the property while students and staff were on lockdown. Anyone outside was turned away.
“For a call like this, we’re obviously going to respond with all hands on deck,” Const. Martin Cromwell said Friday. “And we’re going to take the threat as serious as you can imagine until we can determine otherwise.”
Cromwell said while the call turned out to be a hoax, “swatting” still causes problems.
“Swatting involves making a false report to police with the sole intent of prompting a significant police response,” he said.
“So with that being done, that ties up emergency responders and resources, which then diverts them from helping others who may be in need. So it’s a very serious issue. It’s a very disturbing thing to do.”
With help from state authorities, investigators have traced the call to Florida. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
The lockdown was lifted before afternoon dismissal on Thursday, but officers returned to the school on Friday to reassure students and staff.
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