March Safe2Tell report shows continued decrease in tips when compared to 2020

Stacey Jenkins named new Safe2Tell director

April 13, 2021 (DENVER)—Safe2Tell tip volume decreased last month when compared to March 2020, according to the monthly report released today.

In March, the program received 1,035 tips, a 41% decrease in monthly tip volume compared to March 2020. To date for the 2020-2021 school year, Safe2Tell has received 7,786 tips, a 56% decrease from the 2019-2021 school year, which is likely due to delayed school openings and distance learning practices that are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suicide threats (217), welfare checks (93), and drugs (61) were the top categories of tips reported to the program in March.

“This month’s tips demonstrated students are often aware of safety concerns before adults,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “By breaking any perceived code of silence and sharing that concern either with a trusted adult, or anonymously with Safe2Tell, they can help protect other students from harm. Stacey Jenkins, our new Safe2Tell director, will continue working with her team to ensure the program remains available to Colorado families and communities, and to raise awareness of this important safety tool.”

False tips are down to 1.5% 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.

Jenkins, who has worked with Safe2Tell as the program manager for more than two years and served as interim director since October 2020, was named the director of the program in March. Before coming to Safe2Tell, Jenkins worked in school administration in Colorado for 13 years.

“I’m honored to continue serving Colorado’s students and schools,” said Jenkins. “Safe2Tell is a vital program that allows us to collaborate statewide to protect youth in our communities. We at Safe2Tell are working every day to ensure Coloradans know this resource is available 24/7, including during the pandemic.”

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

• Safe2Tell received a report that a student was asking other students for inappropriate photos through various platforms. While no evidence was found for the reported incident, the school will continue monitoring the situation.
• Safe2Tell received a report that a student was posting messages about suicide. A welfare check was conducted and the student is receiving treatment.

The following is an example of misuse of the program:

• A person asked Safe2Tell to issue an Amber Alert for a family member. They were directed to contact 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.

###