Anonymous tip program aims to make schools safer - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Students are using special stickers as a new crime fighting tool to keep schools safe.

Franklin Central High School junior Monica Viers helped place crime TIP stickers inside school lockers at her school, the first in the country to try out the program letting students anonymously report things like bullying, weapons and rumors about fights.

Monica believes it's the anonymity that will take away the fear.

"Kids are afraid that if I want to tell my teacher or something, they think I am a tattle tale," she said.

The stickers tell how to report trouble via cell phone, online or by text message. There are no cash rewards for tips, but at least one principal considers any kind of warning from a student priceless.

"If they know of someone that is having emotional problems and possibly suicidal, we want to know about that," said Franklin Central H.S. Principal Kevin Koers. "Obviously, if someone is carrying a weapon, we want to know about that. Drugs, anything of that nature, we want to know."

The stickers are in almost every locker and even the students themselves say it's part of their job to help keep school safe.

"The school is just big. We have to keep everyone's behavior in check so it can run smoothly and not have as many problems," Viers said.

Students are free to leave a tip at anytime.

"Our phones are answered 24 hours a day and they can leave the information and we can promise we will keep them anonymous," said Crime Stoppers Director Scott Teagardin.

Although school just started back at Franklin Central, students have already secretly submitted several tips to help keep their school safe.

"I've heard that it has helped and people have used it," Viers said.