Joint Statement from Ferndale Police Department and Ferndale School District
(Ferndale, WA) — On October 3, 2024, the Ferndale School District, Ferndale Police Department, and local authorities responded to an anonymous report of a potential bomb threat at Ferndale High School. While swift action was taken immediately out of an abundance of caution, no credible threat has been identified at this time. All students and staff were safely evacuated, and law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation of the premises.
It is important to note that this incident may be related to a nationwide “swatting” effort. Swatting involves the false reporting of a serious emergency, such as a bomb threat, with the intent to cause disruption and fear. Until the investigation is complete, it remains unknown if today’s threat is connected to this nationwide “swatting” effort. The Ferndale School District, Ferndale Police Department, and City of Ferndale are closely monitoring the situation in cooperation with all agencies involved.
We want to reassure our community that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. Our teams responded quickly, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone. Additional counselors will be available to any students or staff who may need support in the wake of this event.
We understand that these situations can cause concern and anxiety, and we appreciate the cooperation of our students, families, and staff. Your patience as we prioritize safety and fully investigate this incident is greatly appreciated.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, please contact the Ferndale School District or the City of Ferndale.
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Contacts:
Communications & Community Relations Officer for the City of Ferndale: meganjuenemann@cityofferndale.org
Executive Director of Communications for the Ferndale School District: celina.rodriguez@ferndalesd.org
Photo credit: Don Anderson
