‘We take these reports very seriously’: WRPS address swatting calls

A string of so-called swatting incidents is generating concern as the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) continues to investigate the trend.

Police have launched multiple swatting investigations in the last month, including two in the last week.

The most recent occurred Monday morning as police received reports about a person with a gun at Grand River Collegiate Institute (GRCI) in Kitchener.

The call sparked a significant police response and prompted a lockdown at GRCI, plus hold and secures at several neighbouring schools.

“We take these reports very seriously and obviously have concerns with the evolution of these types of calls,” said WRPS Constable Brad Hickey.

He said responding officers and the affected schools have to follow safety protocols until the claims are disproved.

“We have to have a large police presence in order to evaluate the situation and have the officers in the area to deal with the investigation.”

Hickey said the phony reports cause major disruptions within the community and tie up emergency resources.

Police are taking steps to try and combat the growing problem.

“We continue to work with our community and policing partners and really to try and refine our technological and investigative techniques to try and apprehend these individuals to prevent these types of incidents from occurring in the future.”

Hickey noted these are complex investigations as the calls could come from anywhere in the world.

It isn’t just schools that are targeted by swatters, as the other recent investigations launched by WRPS involve reported residential shootings in the Westmount Road area of Kitchener, none of which had any merit.

Police are asking anyone with information on any of the recent swatting incidents to contact them.