OSP issues reminder of statewide school safety tip line

The Oregon State Police reminds students and families to learn more about SafeOregon, the statewide school safety tip line. The tip line is a safe, confidential and anonymous way for students to alert authorities to information that may be useful in preventing school attacks, bullying and suicidal behaviors.

SafeOregon can be accessed through a phone call, text message, mobile application or the internet by students and other members of the public. Trained staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to review, analyze and route tips for the most appropriate follow-up and urgency. Tip line staff make sure follow-up is noted and recorded.

OSP Superintendent Travis Hampton said, “We know the tip line works. We’ve seen other students report concerns about their friends and we’ve gotten their friends help. We’ve been able to get in front of safety concerns.

“Sometimes students might see or hear something that might be confusing or they are unsure what to do with the information but they do know something isn’t right. That’s where the tip line can help. Students have the opportunity to provide information to a trusted adult that can look into the situation and take it from there.”

The Oregon State Police also encourages students to have conversations with adults around them about anything they are concerned about. Students have an important voice in their own safety, and the safety of their fellow students and school. But, the tip line gives a voice to those students who don’t feel comfortable going to an adult for whatever reason or they might be anxious or afraid.

Since the tip line began in January, 2017 — over 525 tips have been received. The top five types of tips include bullying or harassment, possession or distribution of drugs, concerns about safety issues, cyberbullying and sexual harassment.

Today, 813 Oregon schools in the PK-12 grades are signed up to use the statewide tip line. It’s open to private and public schools in those grade ranges. To find out if your school is using the system visit SafeOregon.com and click on report a tip. Here you’ll see all the different methods of reporting. By clicking on web report form you will see a box for “school name” begin entering your school name. If the school name appears, they are using SafeOregon. You should also talk to your school about how the system works and what you can do to help promote the statewide tip line in your school.

It is against the Oregon Law to misuse the tip line and report false tips. ORS 165.570

For more information visit SafeOregon.com.

Background: SafeOregon became Law through HB 4075 (2016), as a result of recommendations from the Oregon Task Force on School Safety. During the 2014 session, the Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 4087, to establish a Task Force on School Safety. The bill, created a working group to examine steps to improve safety and security at schools across the state. As specified in HB 4087, the task force is made up of representatives from the legislature, the governor’s office, as well as the education and public safety communities. A complete roster of the task force members appears at the left side of this page. For more information on the task force, visit the Oregon State Police website at www.oregon.gov/osp