Many states, cities, and counties have anonymous reporting systems and hotlines that enable students, teachers, administrators, school employees, and members of the public to confidentially report a school or community threat via a phone call, text, app, or online
Behaviors and/or activities that should be reported to an anonymous tip line run the gamut from school shooting threats to mental health concerns to bullying.
Related Articles: Reading Between the Lines: Recognizing Insider References to School Shooters
Here are some examples of behaviors and/or activities that should be reported to an anonymous tip program. If there is immediate danger, call 9-1-1:
- Comments made by a person indicating they want to take their life or engage in self-harm
- Bullying, either in person or online
- Suspected child abuse
- Domestic violence or dating violence
- Human trafficking
- Suspected gang involvement
- Drug and/or alcohol use/abuse
- Comments made regarding killing or harming someone else *
- Strangers asking questions about building security features and procedures *
- Social media posts about possible school attacks *
- People requesting sensitive information, such as blueprints, security plans or VIP travel schedules, without a need to know *
- Purchasing supplies that could be used to make bombs or weapons or purchasing uniforms without having the proper credentials *
- Taking photographs or videos of security features, such as cameras or checkpoints *
Which States and Cities Have School Anonymous Reporting Systems?
The following states have anonymous reporting programs that the public can contact to report a threat to a school or their community:
- Colorado: https://safe2tell.org
- Florida: https://getfortifyfl.com/
- Georgia: https://gema.georgia.gov/school-safety-hot-topics-0 ( 1-877-SAY-STOP(1-877-729-7867).)
- Idaho: https://schoolsafety.dbs.idaho.gov/see-tell-now/
- Illinois: https://www.safe2helpil.com/
- Iowa: https://safeandsoundiowa.gov/
- Kansas: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Fiscal-and-Administrative-Services/School-Finance/School-Bus-Safety/School-Safety-Hotline
- Maryland: https://schoolsafety.maryland.gov/pages/tipline.aspx
- Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say
- Minnesota: https://www.seeandsend.info/
- Missouri: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Courage2ReportMO/index.html
- North Dakota: https://www.newrockfordtranscript.com/story/2018/08/27/news/officials-launch-text-tip-line-to-improve-school-safety-reduce-drug-crimes/1352.html
- Nevada: http://safevoicenv.org/
- Ohio: https://ohioschoolsafetycenter.ohio.gov/pre-k-%2012-schools/safer-ohio-school-tip-line
- Oregon: https://www.safeoregon.com/
- Pennsylvania: https://www.safe2saypa.org/what-is-safe2say-something/
- South Dakota: https://asbsd.org/project-standup-for-school-safety/#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DProject%20StandUp%20for%20School%20Safety%20is%20initiated%20by%20texting%20the%2Cthe%20submitted%20information%20to%20the
- Texas: iWatchTexas, 1-844-643-2251 or download the app
- Utah: https://safeut.med.utah.edu/
- West Virginia: 1-866-723-3982
- Wisconsin: https://www.safe2tellwy.org/
Many of the larger cities in the U.S. also have their own anonymous tip lines:
- New York City: dial 311 or call 212-639-9675
- Los Angeles: https://www.lausd.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=49830&ViewID=ed695a1c-ef13-4546-b4eb-4fefcdd4f389&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=127225&PageID=12393&Comments=true
- Chicago: 773-553-3772 or [email protected]
- Houston: https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/178644
- Seattle: 206-252-0510
Additionally, Sandy Hook Promise has an anonymous reporting system: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/say-something-anonymous-reporting-system/.
Some private companies also provide anonymous tip services, including the Safe School Hotline )https://schoolhelpline.com/) and Anonymous Alerts (https://www.anonymousalerts.com/).
Did we miss any anonymous reporting programs? If so, please contact Robin Hattersley at [email protected] so we can add the program to our list or make updates.
* Examples provided by iWatchTexas.
