I saw a sign on a NYC bus this summer: See Something? Say Something! I can imagine a time in the not so distant decades of our American past that the See Something/Say Something public service campaign in our country’s biggest city might have elicited confused question marks in the eyes of those passing by. Flash forward to today: See something, hear something, know something, think something. PLEASE SAY SOMETHING.
In today’s world there are is no confusion or question marks about what the sign means. In today’s world of staggeringly sad gun deaths in public spaces as well as gun violence in private homes, every single individual needs a reliable and convenient, and, if desired, anonymous way to say something to a professional (a cop, a social worker, a crisis counselor, a parent, a community leader) who can act to stop a disaster, a crime or a needless death.
The State of Michigan has taken an important step towards reaching out to teach our youth about the critical importance of open communication with authorities regarding the things they see, they hear, they think or say that might lead to a horrible violent act, or an unnecessary death. In late 2013 Governor Snyder and the Legislature passed the Student Safety Act of 2013, paving the way for Michigan’s groundbreaking statewide student safety program called OK2SAY.
The OK2SAY student safety hotline is currently operational, as of the start of the 2014-2015 academic year. Bill Schuette, Attorney General for the State of Michigan, reports that the program conforms to the intent and scope of the Student Safety Act by providing a comprehensive and confidential communication program that will, by being an early warning alarm, help stop tragedies before they start. To learn more, and access important resources for people of every age at the program’s web site: http://www.michigan.gov/ok2say
Today we live in a world where each and every one of us must, must, must, say something if informing an authority might change the course of bad things about to happen, whether it is a person struggling with mental health needs immediate assistance, or when we hear about potential violence, or when we know of a child or family in danger due to domestic violence.
According to the OK2SAY website, information submitted to OK2SAY is CONFIDENTIAL, so your identity is safe.
Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Please submit a tip using any of the following ways:
Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY) *
*All carriers permit you to text OK2SAY. But, only the following carriers allow attachments:
- Alltel-Allied
- AT&T
- Cricket (Leap Wireless)
- MetroPCS (GSM)
- Sprint
- T-Mobile
- United States Cellular Corp
- Verizon
