Tip Line Created to Report Threats in Md. Schools
There’s a new tip line in Maryland that aims to enhance school safety.
Governor Larry Hogan joined students, education leaders, and local law enforcement agencies early Wednesday to announce the launch of “Safe Schools Maryland,” a tip line and mobile app designed for residents to report possible threats in schools.
“Incidents of targeted violence at our schools are rarely sudden impulsive acts; instead, in the majority of these incidents, another person was aware of what the student was thinking or planning to do,” said Hogan. “We must remain ever vigilant when it comes to protecting our kids, and we are counting on our local school communities, our students, teachers, and parents to work together with us in these important efforts.”
Community members, including students, school staff, and family members, can anonymously report information to Safe Schools Maryland via the mobile app, online, or by calling 1.833.MD.B.SAFE (1-833-632-7233).
The tip line staff will share the information with school officials, law enforcement personnel; as well as behavioral health and medical staff, to help prevent violent incidents at schools around the state.
“Sadly, all too often students, choose to remain silent because they are afraid of retaliation, rejection, or stigmatization by their peers,” said Hogan. “The troubling result is a ‘code of silence’ in which students suffer harm that could have been prevented if another person had chosen to speak out. We need to empower our students to break that ‘code of silence’.”
Governor Hogan asked the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to coordinate the school safety tip line and mobile app in partnership with the Maryland Center for School Safety. MEMA has trained existing staff and is hiring new staff to ensure that tip line calls and reports are answered 24/7.
The app is available for download through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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