Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
State law enforcement officials, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, the North Dakota Attorney General and the Governor's Office has launched a new statewide anonymous texting platform designed to enhance school safety and report drug crime. Project Stand Up For School Safety and Project Stand Up to Drug Crime is now activated in every North Dakota city and county.
The North Dakota Sheriff's Association initiated the new programs, which have been endorsed and supported by the various state agencies and officials. North Dakota is now the eighth state to use the Stand Up for School Safety program. The programs allow individuals to report suspicious behavior, threats and violence in every school by texting SAFE to 82257.
That information provides confidentiality to the tipster and delivers the information to school and law enforcement officials in an instantaneous manner. Students, parents and community members may use the text 24/7, with the promise that their information will get to authorities quickly without revealing their personal identity. Tips involving student issues like suicide, shootings, larceny, bullying, vandalism and even cheating can be texted at any time and from any place.
Students and community members can also report illegal drug activities by texting DRUGS to 82257.
"Project Stand Up is an excellent tool for students and residents to support law enforcement officials to both prevent and investigate criminal activities throughout our state," said Pat Rummel, President of the North Dakota Sheriff's Association.
"We as North Dakota educators are always supportive of ways to make our students more safe and secure at school. Project Stand Up provides a simple way for students and parents alike to report potential threats to school safety," said Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction.
"In addition to using state of the art technology, the program is delivered to our residents free; there are no taxpayer funds used to pay for Project Stand Up," Rummel added.
Project Stand Up is managed by a non-profit organization that secures funding from corporations, foundations and individuals. Sanford Health is a primary corporate sponsor. Additional sponsors will be recruited in North Dakota.
Project Stand Up started in South Dakota in May 2017. After one year of implementation more than 600 drug crime investigations were initiated from the anonymous text tips. Project Stand Up for School Safety was developed soon after the school shootings in Parkland, Fla., using the same technology and law enforcement databases from the drug tip program.
"We appreciate and applaud the cooperation and support of all of the organizations that have worked together to implement Project Stand Up in North Dakota," said David Bean, founder of Project Stand Up.
Other groups that support and endorse the program include: The North Dakota Police Chiefs Association, The Governor of North Dakota, The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and the North Dakota School Board Association.
Individuals and corporations who would like to contribute to Project Stand Up may do so at projectstandup.org.
For additional information please contact: [email protected]
