Late this afternoon, multiple school districts across the state, including Logan-Hocking, received an email with notice of a general, non-specific threat to student safety. Upon receipt of the threat, school administration immediately notified the Logan Police Department, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Communication from the Ohio Department of Homeland Security states that they are aware of the current email that is circulating, and emails were sent to schools with similar language in California in November. In addition, emails with similar language were sent to schools in Texas last week. Based on the nearly identical language of the emails and the emails being sent to hundreds of schools nationwide, the Department of Homeland Security determined that these emails are hoax emails, otherwise known as “swatting” emails, which are simply meant to incite panic without any merit or actual threat to the safety of students or the community at large.
Student and staff safety are a top priority for the Logan-Hocking School District. In an effort to go above and beyond our normal safety protocols, local law enforcement will be assessing all Logan-Hocking School District buildings throughout the night, and extra law enforcement will be on-hand tomorrow throughout the day. Schools will be running on a regular schedule tomorrow, however, if you prefer to keep your child home tomorrow, your child will be excused from school without question.
As part of our practice of See Something, Say Something, we ask that if anyone receives additional information or if they receive any threats, please do not hesitate to contact the Logan Police Department, Hocking County Sheriff's Office, or Safer Schools Ohio at 844-723-3764.