Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette Wednesday announced that February 2018 was a record breaking month for the OK2SAY student safety program. This brings the total number of tips received through OK2SAY to 11,899. In the month of February, OK2SAY received 670 tips, topping last October's record of 560 tips. Suicide threats remained the number one most-reported tip, with 127; but the 119 planned sch%ool attack tips accounted for 18% of all total tips submitted in February, which was a substantial increase in this tip category.
"I worked to create OK2SAY so students have a way to report something wrong at school without fearing that others will retaliate. The OK2SAY app is where students are, on their phones and tablets," said Schuette. "As Department of Attorney General OK2SAY team members present in more and more schools, tip numbers and mobile app users are increasing. We've heightened awareness about OK2SAY, and students are engaged now more than ever in a school safety program that works and has saved lives."
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. In February over 9,000 students heard an OK2SAY presentation; bringing the total number to nearly 460,000 students since the program's inception in 2014. An additional 745 community members heard an OK2SAY program in February.
"I appreciate the continued support of the Michigan Legislature and the inclusion of OK2SAY funds in the Department of Attorney General budget for this coming year," said Schuette. "OK2SAY is vital to school safety in Michigan, and every dollar dedicated to this initiative keeps Michigan kids safe."
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.
Published: Fri, Mar 09, 2018
