WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Police on Wednesday morning responded to an apparent 'swatting' incident at Mount Greylock Regional School.

 

At 10:17 a.m., police were notified by the middle-high school that a threat was phoned in to the school, police reported in a news release.

 

Mount Greylock implemented its security protocols, and the police responded to the Cold Spring Road campus with assistance from the North Adams and Lanesborough Police Departments and State Police, according to the release.

 

Law enforcement officers conducted a search of the school and surrounding areas. The search uncovered no evidence to support the threat and the school returned to normal operations at 11:03 a.m., police said. Additional public safety resources were to remain on scene for the remainder of the school day.

 

The investigation is continuing, and persons with information are requested to notify the Williamstown Police Department at 413-458-5733.

 

Swatting is a dangerous, illegal hoax where perpetrators make false emergency reports — such as bomb threats or active shooters — to provoke a heavily armed law enforcement (SWAT) response to a target's address, police said. It is a criminal act of harassment or retaliation that puts victims, officers, and the public in immediate physical danger.

 

The Williamstown Fire Department and Northern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services also provided assets to assist in the police response.