August Safe2Tell report shows increase in tips when compared to August 2020

Sept. 14, 2021 (DENVER)—Safe2Tell tip volume increased last month when compared to August 2020, according to the monthly report released today.

In August, the program received 972 tips, a 36% increase in monthly tip volume compared to August 2020, which is likely due to students returning to in-person learning following school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suicide threats (146), welfare checks (67), and school complaints (55) were the top categories of tips reported to the program in August. Welfare checks are usually reports that express concern about a peer.

“As students and families adjust to in-person learning, we are already seeing evidence that community members are looking out for one another,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “By anonymously reporting safety concerns to Safe2Tell, we can work together to help save lives.”

In this school year, false tips are 2.1% of all tips submitted to Safe2Tell. False tips are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

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

• A person reported a student was bullying another student. Information was sent to the response teams who reported that the involved students’ parents were notified.
• A person reported a student selling drugs. The report was sent to the school and law enforcement who reported that upon investigation, no drugs were found.
• A person reported a student was asking if they should bring a knife to school. It was determined that the student stated they only intended to bring a picture of the knife to school. The school will work with the student on safety policies.

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

• A person reported information about a drunk driver. Information was passed on 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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