Safe2Tell reports decrease 18.8% in December

Reports historically decrease during school holidays and summer breaks

Jan. 10, 2023 (DENVER) — Safe2Tell report volume decreased 18.8% last month when compared to November, according to the monthly report released today. Decreases in report numbers are common when students are on holiday or summer breaks.

In December, the program received 1,664 reports. Suicide threats (280), bullying (143), and drugs (120) were among the top categories of reports. To date, for the 2022-2023 school year, Safe2Tell has received 8,892 reports.

“Safe2Tell is available year-round for students and community members to report urgent safety concerns,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “As students return to school after the holiday season, we must remain vigilant to ensure they and our communities are safe.”

In this school year, false reports are 2.3% of all reports submitted to Safe2Tell. False reports are those that contain untrue information and submitted intending to harm, injure, or bully another person.

In December, anonymous reports from students and other individuals successfully helped protect students’ safety. For example:

• A person reported a student parked in a car and pointing what looked like a firearm at other students. The school investigated and found the student with a toy gun. School took disciplinary action and completed a threat assessment. The student is receiving counseling, and notification made to their parents.
• A person reported a student was selling drugs to other students at school. The school investigated and found drugs in the student’s backpack. School took disciplinary action, notified the student’s parents, and law enforcement arrested the student.

The following is an example of unintentional misuse of the program:

• A person reported that their teacher was intentionally giving them a lower grade. Safe2Tell forwarded their concerns to the appropriate personnel and encouraged this person to contact their school or district in the future.

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 nor mental health counseling service provider; it is an information pathway for distributing anonymous reports to local law enforcement and school officials pursuant to state law.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, at any time. 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.

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