Safe2Tell report may have prevented school shooting during record-setting August

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Safe2Tell reports rose 23% year-over-year in August in a continuing trend of rising numbers of school-based reports , according to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, and among the wave of reports was one for a student and their family who had experienced gun violence and needed help.

The 23% increase this year translates to 1,807 reports received in August, which is also a nearly 145% increase from the number of reports received in July. However, the AG’s Office, which oversees Safe2Tell, noted that there is typically an “upsurge” of reports in August after students return to school following the summer.

Of the over 1,800 reports, the most common report categories in August were suicide (201 reports), bullying (134) and school safety concerns: staff (124).

That last top report category is new this year, as the program has split “school complaints,” which has been relabelled as “school safety concerns,” and broken down into three categories: Staff, facility and policy-related matters.

“During the 2023-2024 school year, Safe2Tell saw an increase in school complaint reports covering a range of issues, some of which were not safety related,” said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins in a release. “To better align with its mission, Safe2Tell is replacing the ‘school complaint’ category with three new categories for the 2024-2025 school year and will continue to monitor and adjust as needed.”

This continues last year’s trend, as August 2023 marked a year-over-year increase in monthly report volume, rising 37% from August 2022.

Monthly overview highlights report of troubled student

The August Safe2Tell overview highlighted two specific reports. One person reported a student who did not feel safe going home, and who had “expressed discomfort at being around their guardian.” the school team spoke with the student and decided to contact the Department of Human Services, and ensure the school psychologist would check in with the student.

A second report came from someone who said a student and their family who had been victims of gun violence and also have access to guns in their home needed help. The school contacted the family and will have the school psychologist meet with the student to conduct a threat assessment and have a security guard at school.

“As Safe2Tell continues to grow, its impact is felt not just in schools, but in communities across Colorado,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser in the September release. “By encouraging early reporting, we’re helping to create a future where issues are addressed before they lead to tragedy.”

This would not be the first time that a Safe2Tell report has possibly prevented a school shooting in Colorado. In December 2023, the monthly overview noted that two tips referenced students talking about planned school attacks.

To make a Safe2Tell report, call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, at any time. Reports can be made at Safe2Tell.org , by texting S2TCO to 738477, or through the Safe2Tell mobile app.

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