'Say Something' tip line in schools flags gun violence threats, study finds
A new study in Pediatrics shows that an anonymous tip line for students is catching some gun threats before they can escalate. It is part of an effort to treat gun violence as a public health problem.
"If you see something, say something."
That's not just a slogan for subway stations and airports.
It's also a concept embraced by the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, started by the non-profit Sandy Hook Promise Foundation. Schools in 23 states have set up an anonymous tip line serving more than 5 million students in grades 6 through 12. The idea is to report unusual behaviors or potential acts of gun violence by other students.
A new study, published in the journal Wednesday, evaluated the tip line as it was used by one southeastern state — North Carolina — to see how successful it was at catching firearm-related threats.
