Safe2Tell sees increase in tips during first month of school summer break

July 8, 2019 (DENVER, Colo.)—Safe2Tell released its monthly report today. In June, the program received 674 tips, an 83 percent increase in monthly tip volume compared to June 2018. To date for the 2018-19 school year (SY), Safe2Tell has received 19,511 actionable tips, a 22 percent increase over 2017-18 SY. Suicide threats (181) and drugs (48) continued to be the top categories of tips reported to the program.

During the summer, Safe2tell historically experiences a decrease in tips primarily because school is not in session. The same trend occurs when schools close during holiday and break weeks. The low number of overall tips for this month (674) relative to the rest of the 2017-2018 SY falls in line with this trend. There was, however, a notable 83 percent increase from reports received in June 2018.

“It is encouraging to see that students are still engaged with Safe2Tell during the summer months. This highlights Safe2Tell’s value as an important violence intervention and prevention tool even during holidays and breaks —as well as during the school year,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose office oversees Safe2Tell. “We can never afford to take a break from saving lives and preventing violence.”

Another trend from the June 2019 data is that the cyber bullying tip category has moved into the top six tip categories, potentially because students are not in school and have more time to be online and access social media.

“Even though Colorado schools are on summer break, we are seeing an 83 percent increase in reports from this same time last year. This may very well be attributed to an increase in students’ understanding of how, when, and why to make a Safe2Tell report. I am grateful for that heightened knowledge, which enhances our prevention and intervention abilities,” said Essi Ellis, director of Safe2Tell.

In June, anonymous tips from students and other individuals successfully helped prevent and mitigate illegal behavior and potentially violent incidents of self-harm. For example:

  • Multiple reports were received regarding a case of underage drinking. Police investigated and arrived on the scene of a large party in a remote area. They proceeded to arrest the hosts for supplying alcohol to minors, and contacted parents to pick up their children.
  • A tip was received regarding concerns that a student was potentially suicidal. Police conducted a welfare check of the student, who had a history of prior suicide attempts, and the student was transported to a local hospital.

State law mandates that local law enforcement and school districts follow up on each tip to determine whether they are credible or not. To date for this school year, local law enforcement and school districts have reported that 2.45 percent of the tips submitted were false. False tips are those that contain false information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own, and others’, safety. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit, it is a conduit of information from anonymous tips to local law enforcement, school officials, and appropriate responding parties.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

###

CONTACT
Lawrence Pacheco, Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Email: Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov

Skip to content