December Safe2Tell report shows continued decrease in tips when compared to 2019

Jan. 12, 2021 (DENVER, Colo.)— Safe2Tell tip volume decreased last month when compared to December 2019, according to the monthly report released today.

In December, the program received 829 tips, a 61% decrease in monthly tip volume compared to December 2019. To date for the 2020-2021 school year, Safe2Tell has received 4,848 tips, a 58% decrease from 2019-2020 school year, which is likely due to delayed school openings and distance learning practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suicide threats (182), welfare checks (81), and cyberbullying (60) were the top categories of tips reported to the program.

“Reporting safety concerns to Safe2Tell promises to save the lives of youth in our Colorado communities,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “As our tip examples demonstrate, students and community members are remaining vigilant and speaking out when they notice a potential threat to their or other students’ safety.  At a time of great stress among young people, Safe2Tell continues to serve as a valuable system for identifying to and responding to threats to student safety.”

False tips are down to 1.6% from the previous school year’s 2.5% of all tips submitted to Safe2Tell, which is also likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. False tips are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

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

• A report was submitted about a student who indicated they were having suicide thoughts. A welfare check was conducted and the student stated that they were joking. Trusted adults were informed and the student was counseled about the severity of such statements.
• A report was submitted that a student was making death threats to another student on a social media platform. Law enforcement met with the student and their parent and informed them of the significance of the situation and potential legal consequences.

The following is an example of misuse of the Safe2Tell program:

• A report was submitted about a person who was reportedly driving while under the influence of alcohol on more than one occasion. They were advised to file a report with their local law enforcement agency.

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 a conduit of information for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement and school officials pursuant to state law.

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.

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