Tips reach record number for second month

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette on Thursday announced that his department’s OK2SAY school safety initiative had another record-breaking month. In March alone, OK2SAY received 980 tips topping last month’s record by more than 300. This brings the total number of tips received through OK2SAY to 12,879. Suicide threats remained one of the top reported tip categories, with 195, surpassed only by tips on bullying at 198. Planned School Attacks had 131 tips in March, making it the third most reported tip category.

“OK2SAY works, it stops violence and suicides before they occur. Now more than ever students need a place to turn and OK2SAY is that place,” said Schuette. “I want to thank the dedicated presenters we have at the Department of Attorney General who work tirelessly every day to share this program with students across Michigan.  Without their hard work this program could not be this successful.”

One hundred and twenty-six OK2SAY presentations were given to 14,000-plus Michigan students in March. This brings total OK2SAY presentations to over 4,000 in under 4 years, reaching just over half a million Michigan residents. Presentations will continue in April with 38 presentations currently scheduled and more being added every day.

Schuette also noted that it is important that students take the tip line seriously.

“OK2SAY is helping get students the support they need before a situation turns into a tragedy.  However, OK2SAY is for serious reports only and anyone who intentionally pranks the system will face consequences,” said Schuette.

In fact, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Matthew Schneider,  announced a new initiative to help combat the prank threats and teach students the potential legal consequences of their pranks.

OK2SAY is a student safety program that acts as an early warning system in Michigan schools to prevent tragedies before they occur.

Launched by Schuette in 2014, the program encourages students to submit confidential tips to trained technicians regarding potential harm or threats 24/7.

Key features of OK2SAY include:

• In-school Programming: Thirty-one specialized OK2SAY presenters visit schools around the state to encourage students to step up, speak out, and report anything that threatens their safety or the safety of others.

• Confidential Reporting: State law protects the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity. The identity of the reporting party will not be disclosed to local law enforcement, school officials, or the person about whom a tip is offered, unless the reporter voluntarily chooses to disclose his or her identity. If the reporter is a minor, the parent or guardian must also consent.

• Comprehensive Technology: Anyone can confidentially submit tips 24/7 using any of the five tip methods detailed below. Multi-media attachments like photos, videos, and links to additional information are encouraged.

• Coordinated Intervention: Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY technicians at the Michigan State Police screen and forward tips to an appropriate responding agency including: local law enforcement, schools, local community mental health organizations, or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

• Accountability: Each responding organization is asked to complete an Outcome Report detailing the nature of the tip, how the tip was handled, and whether the tip situation was resolved or requires ongoing attention.  This provides local entities an opportunity to illustrate that student safety threats are tracked and taken seriously.

• The 2016 Annual Report details the types and numbers of tips handled throughout the year. The 2017 Annual Report will be released this spring.

OK2SAY encourages confidential tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, and schools.  Tips can be submitted through the following ways:

Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, 855-565-2729
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Email: ok2say@mi.gov
Web: ok2say.com
OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download in app stores for iPhone and Android.

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