Police give 'all clear' after apparent 'swatting' threat at Glenbard West

Glen Ellyn police issued an "all clear" notice Thursday after Glenbard West High School received a bomb threat that appears to be a "swatting" hoax, officials said.

The school sent students home early while police investigated the threat. Several hours after the evacuation, police said the campus buildings could be accessed, and roadways were reopened.

The Glenbard switchboard received a message that suggested a threat to the Glen Ellyn school at about 8:19 a.m., Principal Peter Monaghan wrote in a message to families.

"While we believe this is likely a 'swatting' call, designed to instill panic with our school, in an abundance of caution, we are implementing our off-site evacuation plan immediately," Monaghan wrote.

Swatting calls are false threats intended to trigger a law enforcement response to a particular location. Parents were told not to drive toward campus.

"Students who ride buses have just been loaded and are on their way home," Monaghan wrote in a second message just before 11 a.m. "We will shortly release the rest of the students and we encourage those who can to walk home. Should you need to pick your student up, we would like to encourage everyone to carpool if possible. Please do not go towards Glenbard West or the campus at this time."