The Cobourg Police Service says recent swatting incidents involving local schools are being treated seriously, with the safety of students and staff remaining the top priority.
Chief Paul VandeGraaf says while false threat calls can create fear and disruption, police will continue responding to every incident as though it could be real.
He says officers are trained to respond in a structured and consistent way, working closely with school boards and staff to ensure buildings are secure and students remain safe.
Police also say the investigation has expanded beyond simple false threat calls, with investigators believing some incidents are linked to online exploitation and extortion of youth through social media, gaming and online chat platforms.
VandeGraaf says investigators are focused first on supporting victims, putting safety plans in place and gathering evidence before releasing more details publicly.
He acknowledges some parents are frustrated by limited information or the visible police presence at schools, but says those decisions are made with safety in mind.
Police have reached out to provincial and national policing partners to help understand the full scope of the investigation, and VandeGraaf says these kinds of cases can take time to fully resolve.
He says families should know every available resource is being used to protect students, support victims and ensure schools remain safe places to learn.
(Written by: Jospeh Goden)
