ALGONA, Iowa — Classes were canceled today (Friday) for Algona schools after officials said they received a threat about an explosive. According to a post on the school’s Facebook page, the threat may be part of a larger “swatting” effort impacting schools across the country.

Swatting calls are false police reports or fake 911 calls, usually about a mass shooting or bombing. According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, swatting calls are “intended to trigger an immediate and widespread law enforcement deployment or emergency service response to a specific location.”

An Iowa law that went into effect July 1, 2024, increased penalties to such crimes from a misdemeanor to a Class D Felony, which could come with up to five years in prison. If somebody is injured or even killed as a result of a swatting call, then that becomes a Class C Felony with a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Algona School Officials said they were working with the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Department and the Algona Police Department to ensure the safety of the district’s buildings by following the district’s regular safety protocols.