Silver Falls School District

Yes, our district has a crisis response plan that is customized for each school and facility. For safety reasons, we do not publicly share this document. We follow the Standard Response Protocol and guidance pertaining to dealing with crisis situations and family reunification after events.

» Standard Response Protocol

You may have seen recent news reports about “swatting” incidents impacting schools nationwide — and even here locally. We want to share some important information to help our community understand what swatting is and how we are working closely with law enforcement to respond.

What is Swatting?
Swatting is when someone makes a false report of an emergency — like a threat or active shooter — to prompt a large police response. These calls are designed to cause fear and disruption, even though there is no real danger.

How Common Is It?
Swatting now represents the most common type of violence-related law enforcement responses reported, making up 63% of false reports like in schools nationwide.

*There has been a 546% or greater increase in the past five years

Common Signs of Swatting Incidents
While every situation is different, there are some patterns often seen in swatting cases:

• Only a single call reports the emergency, without additional witnesses.
• The caller uses a blocked, spoofed, or fake phone number.
• The caller may sound unusually calm or inconsistent with the situation they describe.
• Details may be vague, change during the call, or not match the local area.
• Background noise may seem artificial or unrelated to an actual emergency.

These signs help responders assess and investigate quickly while keeping safety the top priority.

Why Are Swatting Calls Difficult to Trace?
Advances in technology allow perpetrators to hide their identity and location, making it difficult to trace these calls. Many swatting incidents are linked to individuals outside the U.S..

Our Response

• We work closely with local law enforcement and the FBI to investigate all reports thoroughly.
• Law enforcement has specialized protocols for evaluating and responding to potential swatting threats.
• We continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff while following all recommended procedures. 

Moving Forward Together
We know that any threat — real or false — can feel frightening. We are committed to maintaining open communication with families and providing support for anyone affected.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work to keep our schools safe and welcoming for everyone.

» Standard Response Protocol – English

» Standard Response Protocol – Spanish

» Threat Assessment Flyer

Local Resources

Youth & Family Crisis Services
1118 Oak Street SE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-576-4673Marion

Mental Health Crisis Hotlines

Marion County: 503-576-4763

Yamhill County: 844-842-8200

Polk County: 503-623-9289

Clackamas County: 503-655-8585

988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline

988 provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect to mental health professionals.

SafeOregon

SafeOregon is a statewide tip line for students and other members of the public to anonymously and confidentially report information concerning threats or potential threats to student safety.

Report a Tip

Call in a Tip: (844) 472-3367