Phony Threat Disrupts UW-Parkside, Cancels Track Meet

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A phoned-in threat forced the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus into sudden lockdown on Saturday, leading to building evacuations, the cancellation of a collegiate track meet, and a heavy police response. Officials later determined the threat was a hoax, but not before the incident caused significant disruption and concern.

Why it matters

Phoned-in hoaxes are treated as serious crimes because they put people at risk and divert emergency resources. Investigators may pursue criminal charges if they determine the threat was intentionally fabricated, as federal prosecutors have done in the past with swatting incidents that have led to deaths.

The details

According to reports, the initial threat came in by telephone, and UW-Parkside police and Kenosha County deputies responded by setting up a command post, locking down campus entrances, and searching buildings and nearby wooded areas. The caller referenced a countdown, asked for a negotiator, and provided a Google Voice number that investigators are now tracing, fueling concerns that this was a swatting hoax.

• The threat was reported on Saturday morning.
• The campus was locked down and evacuated around 10 a.m.
• The campus reopened around 1 p.m. after police determined there was no active threat.

What’s next

Investigators are tracing the Google Voice number used by the caller in an effort to determine the source of the hoax and pursue any potential criminal charges.