The number of safety concerns reported to the state’s anonymous tip line, designed for student use, is at a record high this year. 

So far in 2024, 585 tips have been reported — up from 467 last year. 

That’s because more schools are advertising the tip line to students, and students are gaining more confidence in the system, Mike Munger told the state’s school safety and security advisory board at a regular meeting Tuesday. 

“I am absolutely convinced that one of the reasons we see the increasing number of tips is because it’s working,” he said. “Students often know what’s going on in their schools better than anyone else, and so being able to give them a voice (is important).”

When students know their concern will be taken seriously and their identity will remain anonymous, they’re more likely to use the tip line, said Munger, program manager for the state’s office of school safety and security.

Plus, at least 372 schools are advertising the tip line to students — more than ever. 

“People are voting with their feet,” Munger said. 

The anonymous tip line is paired with a “See Tell Now!” campaign that urges students to tell someone about their concerns. They can do so by texting, calling, using an app, or sending an email.

In 2022, the state safety office doubled down on efforts to help schools use the program effectively, Munger said, which is when the uptick in tip reporting began. 

Most of the calls that come in are standard — meaning they don’t pose an immediate threat. That could entail anything from interpersonal conflicts with another student, to a complaint about a teacher’s grading practices. 

About 6% of tips have been urgent, and 3% have been critical — meaning there could be an “imminent loss of life or great harm in some way,” Munger said. In those cases, the school and local emergency services are notified and respond immediately.  

“It’s a vital tool for preventing school violence,” Chris Thoms, the “See Tell Now!” program coordinator said in a September press release. 

Of the hundreds of tips reported, 35 have been about suicidal ideation. 

“Those represent students who were on the road to irreparable harm, in some cases, and we were able to get them off of that path towards violence … and that’s what this is all about,” Munger said.

More schools are looking into participating in the”See Tell Now!” program and advertising the tip line in 2025, so Munger expects tips to increase in the coming year. 

“The more tips we receive, the better we can prevent potential tragedies,” he said.