At approximately 10:00 PM on Monday, December 1, 2025, the Monmouth Police Department responded to a reported active incident at Monmouth College. Monmouth Police Dispatch Center received a phone call from an unknown individual claiming that an active incident was occurring.
Monmouth Police officers along with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police arrived quickly on scene, secured the area and began an investigation. No active incident was found to be happening. There is no known threat to the campus at this time.
The incident is still under investigation as a case of swatting. Swatting is the act of falsely reporting an emergency to provoke a law enforcement response where no actual threat exists.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Monmouth Police Department at 309-734-8383. Anonymous tips may be submitted through the Warren County Crime Stoppers at 309-734-9363.
Monmouth Police Department was assisted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Police and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department during the incident.
Any questions can be directed to Chief of Police Joe Switzer at 309-734-8383.
***Courtesy of the Monmouth Police Department***
Statement from President Patricia Draves on incident on campus 12-1-25:
I want to take a moment this morning to thank our community for your cooperation and calm during last night’s incident on campus. As many of you saw, emergency responders arrived quickly after a call was placed to the Monmouth Police Department reporting an alleged active situation on campus.
Thanks to the swift response of Campus Safety and Monmouth Police Department, the reported area was rapidly secured and thoroughly investigated, and no active incident was found to be happening. We are grateful for our safety officers and police’s vigilance and their commitment to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
At this time, there is no active threat to campus. The incident remains under investigation by the police as a case of swatting (false report to provoke law enforcement response).
For more details, please refer to the official press release issued by the Monmouth Police Department, which is below.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Vice President Karen Ogorzalek and the Student Affairs team, as well as to our local law enforcement partners, for their immediate action and for the support they provide our college every day. Thank you for responding with patience and care for one another during the incident and today.
Thank you,
President Draves
***Courtesy of the Monmouth College Facebook Page***
