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August 31, 2023

On Aug. 30 D300's Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville was placed in a lockdown after being a victim of a swatting hoax.
Michelle Moreno
On Aug. 30 D300’s Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville was placed in a lockdown after being a victim of a swatting hoax.

News • August 31, 2023

D300 responds to the ‘swatting’ hoax that resulted in a major lockdown at Dundee-Crown High School

By

CARPENTERSVILLE—On Aug. 30 at approximately 9:07 a.m., Community Unit School District 300 (D300) Superintendent Dr. Susan Harkin sent a mass communication to families of students who attend Dundee-Crown High School (1500 Kings Road) regarding a lockdown that was being initiated by school administration.

The lockdown was in response to a call made about a subject with a weapon, stated the Carpentersville Police Department, who were dispatched to the high school alongside multiple surrounding law enforcement and fire protection agencies.

As the situation unfolded, Harkin continued to update families, assuring community members that there was no active incident occurring inside or outside the building. “All students and staff are safe and under district and building supervision. The lockdown was instituted as a precautionary measure,” said Harkin in a 10:07 a.m. update.

Upon arrival at the high school, officers conducted a thorough search of the building and worked with school officials to safely evacuate all Dundee-Crown High School students and staff members, explained Carpentersville Police Chief Todd Shaver in a press release statement.

“The Police Department determined that there was no armed subject or evidence of shots fired within or around the high school,” added Shaver.

After the lockdown was lifted, Harkin proceeded to address the situation in further detail on the Dundee-Crown High School website.

“Dundee-Crown High School is believed to be the victim of a malicious act known as ‘swatting.’ As I understand that this term might be unfamiliar to some in our community, I’d like to take a moment to explain what swatting is,” the statement from Harkin read. “According to Education Week, swatting is ‘a term that refers to filing a false report with the aim of stoking chaos and proving a large law enforcement response.’ These reports often include threats of violence that require an immediate emergency response.”

Harkin’s statement continued, “Unfortunately, swatting has impacted many school districts in Illinois and nationwide. Swatting is illegal. It strains valuable law enforcement resources. It creates unnecessary panic within communities. And it has significant consequences for the responsible parties. In today’s (Aug. 30) incident at Dundee-Crown, an individual placed a false call, making a serious threat against the school. As a result, law enforcement responded immediately and enacted their safety protocols.”

Harkin went further to state that the district is working closely with the Carpentersville Police Department to continue to investigate the situation to identify the responsible party.

“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated members of the Village of Carpentersville Police and Fire Departments and to the numerous first responders that assisted our community at Dundee-Crown High School this morning (Aug. 30),” said Carpentersville Village President John Skillman via Facebook. “Their swift and professional response to a possible threat ensured the safety of our community and our children and once again demonstrated the Village of Carpentersville Public’s readiness to respond to these types of incidents [at] a moment’s notice.”

All other D300 schools continued to hold after-school activities, reported Harkin.

The Carpentersville Police Department is asking anyone with further information regarding the Dundee-Crown High School incident to please contact Detective Derek Neuman at 847-551-3481.