512 tips made to Safe2Tell in June, according to monthly report

July 13, 2021 (DENVER)— Use of Safe2Tell continues even as schools are closed during the summer with 512 tips made to the program in June, according to the monthly report released today.

To date for the 2020-2021 school year, Safe2Tell has received 10,972 tips, a 46% decrease from the 2019-2020 school year, which is likely due to delayed school openings and distance learning practices that are a result of the pandemic.

Suicide threats (103), welfare checks (33), and child abuse (26) were the top categories of tips reported to the program in June. Welfare checks are usually reports that express concern about a peer.

“The safety of our youth is of paramount importance,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “By reporting potential harm before it occurs or when it might be occurring, we can work together to ensure resources are directed to youth in our state who need them.”

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

• A report was submitted that a person may be struggling with self-harm. A welfare check was conducted, and the person was put in touch with a mental health team and other resources were provided to them and their family.

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

• A report was submitted regarding a potentially unlicensed, unsecure gun shop. Such reports should be submitted to local law enforcement.

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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