by Ken Hilte, PPCC Chief of Public Safety

A study of young people found that the student “Code of Silence” coupled with fear of retaliation was a major impediment to them coming forward with information about impending violence, even though more than 80% of them had information. In 1999, after the Columbine High School tragedy, Colorado Springs Police Officer Susan Payne developed the “Safe 2 Tell” anonymous reporting system while working as a school resource officer. Since that time, the program has developed into a private 501(c)(3) non-profit and now operates as a public—private partnership. The program was so successful, that it has been adopted statewide in Colorado, and the phone number 877-542-SAFE (7233) is staffed 24/7 by members of the Colorado State Patrol. Payne is now a Special Agent with the State of Colorado and is Executive Director of the program.

In its first five years of operation at the State level (2004—2009), the program has generated more than 6,000 calls from 136 Colorado cities, and 53 of our 64 counties. 172 calls were about guns/weapons, 518 about bullying, 262 about threats, 154 about suicide prevention (the second leading cause of teenage deaths), 131 about sexual misconduct, 157 about harassment, 127 about child abuse, and 122 about fights or gang related information, among others. The subsequent investigations are carried out by either law enforcement or school administrators as appropriate and the 220 investigations undertaken so far have resulted in 35 police arrests. Perhaps most impressive are the 28 school attacks prevented, 209 counseling / referrals, and the 181 prevention / intervention plans initiated.

Perhaps you’ll be able to provide the number 877-542-SAFE (7233).to a student who needs it, or maybe you’ll make the call yourself. Visit their website at www.safe2tell.org.