Pennsylvania First State to Mandate Tip Lines for School Threats
Pennsylvania has become the first state to mandate that all schools activate a tip line developed by Sandy Hook Promise.
The Safe2Say Something program was rolled out in January after state lawmakers passed legislation last year requiring public and private schools adopt the violence prevention initiative, says a news report.
The program allows both youths and adults to submit anonymous tips to a system when they see signs that someone could be a threat to themselves or others. Warning signs could include bullying, bragging about an upcoming attack, depression, social isolation or substance abuse.
Sandy Hook Promise has been training students and educators across the country about how to identify potential threats. The nonprofit also develops and helps manage the program, named "Say Something," in each district.
In Pennsylvania, Safe2Say Something is led by Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Students can submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system. A risis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions. The crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention. If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app.
In its first week, the statewide reporting system received 615 tips from across Pennsylvania, the report said. Crisis center analysts evaluated them and sent several hundred to local law enforcement and school officials to follow up with students, according to the report.
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