Specific Instructions
Thank you for taking the time to report your concerns anonymously. When completing the process, please provide as much information as possible to allow the professional report/tip takers to fully investigate your concern. Give a summary of the issue in the narrative section and include detailed information about the people involved in the provided fields. You can also attach photos and videos if they will assist with the investigation of your report/tip. Once you submit, you will receive a Tip ID and password. Keep this information so that you can return to your report/tip in the future if you need to add information or to find out if the report/tip takers have asked any follow up questions. If you are using the app to submit your report/tip, be sure to log out when you are finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I report?
Any school or student safety concern.
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In which situations should I report?
When you want to remain anonymous. The system does not replace calling 911 for immediate life safety issues or direct contact with your school, administration, counselors, SROs, or other school personnel. If you need direct contact with school officials, whether at the school, county, or state level, or when you require updates on the situation, we encourage you to contact the school or visit the school system’s website for information on who may be able to assist you with your concern. For example, every school system has an online bullying form.
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How do I know my anonymous report/tip was received?
You will receive a response. You may receive questions if more information is needed; therefore, be sure to retain the Tip ID and password, which allows you to access your submitted report/tip after initial submission. Please keep in mind that because this is an anonymous reporting system, you will not receive updates on the situation.
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What if I’m not sure of what I heard?
REPORT IT! It is better to report it and allow the proper parties to investigate it than to not report it and risk someone getting hurt.
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Where can I find more information?
More information is available at the Maryland Center for School Safety website.
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What if the person doesn’t go to my school? Should I still report?
Absolutely! Provide as much information as possible and we can get the information to the proper personnel.
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How long will it take to investigate my anonymous report?
Your report will instantly be sent to the appropriate contacts for investigation. The time it takes to complete the investigation varies.
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I didn’t hear about the student receiving a consequence. How do I know it was handled/investigated?
Because this is an anonymous reporting system and due to FERPA / student privacy laws, we cannot disclose the progress or results of an investigation.
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Is my Maryland school listed in or a member of Safe Schools Maryland?
Most Maryland K-12 schools are listed in
Safe Schools Maryland; yet, even if your school is not listed, do note that anonymous reports can be made relating to any school in Maryland by selecting "All Other MD Schools" when making a report. When a school does become a member of Safe Schools Maryland, that school's officials immediately receive any anonymous reports concerning students, teachers, and/or activities at, near, or related to their school. This, in turn, gives the school the opportunity to quickly resolve most matters appropriately in-house before relatively benign issues or situations develop into emergencies.
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Do school officials know how to properly handle anonymous reports/tips?
Yes, every year the Maryland Center for School Safety holds many training sessions for school officials to ensure that they know how to properly handle anonymous reports/tips.
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What if I want to report bullying, but not anonymously?
Most school systems have an easy way to do just that through their Bullying Reporting Forms. If you have a bullying concern for which you would like to be contacted or prefer to have documentation of your bullying report, you have the option to complete your school system’s form. Links to the forms are listed alphabetically by Maryland public school system below. If you prefer to report a bullying tip AND remain anonymous, please use Safe Schools Maryland. Remember that Safe Schools Maryland does NOT provide updates on submitted tips.
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I am concerned about human trafficking. How do I learn more?
We recommend that you visit the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center to learn more about this very important topic.
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I am contemplating suicide or self harm. Are there resources available to me beyond 911 or Safe Schools Maryland?
Yes, Maryland has a crisis hotline that you can call at 1-800-422-0009.
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I am concerned about child abuse or neglect. How can I report that non-anonymously?
Child Protective Services offices across the State of Maryland and in other jurisdictions regularly accept such reports. Click the button below to contact the most appropriate CPS office for your concerns.
Become a Safe Schools Maryland Gold, Silver, or Bronze School
Maryland schools can now earn recognition as Safe Schools Maryland Gold, Silver, or Bronze Schools by meeting criteria described below.
Recognition of Gold, Silver, or Bronze status occurs no later than at the end of the school during which schools engaged in Safe Schools Maryland presentations. Those schools meeting the criteria for Safe Schools Maryland Gold, Silver, or Bronze School recognition are provided the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Safe Schools Maryland seal in decal and .png formats - and for Gold Schools, in a customized all-weather signicade as well - in order to display the school’s commitment to school safety both inside and outside the school building and on the school’s website/print materials.
HOW IT WORKS
In order to become a Safe Schools Maryland Bronze School:
-The Maryland Center for School Safety must deliver a 30-minute (or longer) presentation during the school year to all students at the school (can be delivered in-person or online and presented on different dates to different grade levels).
In order to become a Safe Schools Maryland Silver School:
-The Maryland Center for School Safety must deliver a 30-minute (or longer) presentation during the school year to all students at the school (can be delivered in-person or online and presented on different dates to different grade levels); and
-The Maryland Center for School Safety must deliver a 30-minute (or longer) presentation during the school year to all student-facing staff members at the school (can be delivered in-person or online and delivered on different dates to different employee cohorts).
In order to become a Safe Schools Maryland Gold School:
-The Maryland Center for School Safety must deliver a 30-minute (or longer) presentation during the school year to all students at the school (can be delivered in-person or online and presented on different dates to different grade levels);
-The Maryland Center for School Safety must deliver a 30-minute (or longer) presentation during the school year to all student-facing staff members at the school (can be delivered in-person or online and delivered on different dates to different employee cohorts); and
-The Maryland Center for School Safety must deliver at least one 30-minute (or longer) presentation during the school year to the school’s parent/guardian population (can be delivered in-person or online and delivered on different dates to different parent/guardian cohorts).
Work your way to bronze, silver, or gold school recognition today.
Schedule your school’s 30+ minute Safe Schools Maryland presentation for student, staff, and parent audiences now.
Not yet a Safe Schools Maryland member?
Join Safe Schools Maryland Now
Gold, Silver, or Bronze School recognition is only available to schools that are members of the Safe Schools Maryland anonymous reporting system. Join the thousands of Maryland public schools and hundreds of Maryland non-public schools that are already members of the
free - yet invaluable -
Safe Schools Maryland anonymous reporting system!
A proactive tool that empowers all Maryland residents to create a culture of preparedness, prevention, and safety in and around our schools,
Safe Schools Maryland is anonymously accessible by phone at 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233), online at
safeschoolsmd.org, and by downloading the free app via the App Store or
Google Play.
Whether students are experiencing cyberbullying or are concerned about one or more students capable of self-harm or violence,
Safe Schools Maryland is an increasingly vital tool to ensure the safety and well-being of our students twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
Students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members use
Safe Schools Maryland to share their concerns about:
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Mental Health Crises
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Bullying / Harassment
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Past / Potential Community Violence
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Drug Activity
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Gang Activity
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Abuse
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Weapons / Physical Threats
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Other Issues Affecting Maryland Students
When your school becomes a member of
Safe Schools Maryland, the school officials you select will immediately receive any anonymous tips concerning students, teachers, and/or activities at, near, or related to your school. This, in turn, will give your school the opportunity to resolve most matters appropriately in-house before relatively benign issues or situations develop into emergencies. In the event a tip concerning students, teachers, and/or activities at your school requires an urgent response, not only will you be informed right away, but tip takers will also deploy the appropriate public safety response.
Member schools are also able to promote to their students, parents, faculty, and staff the proactive steps their school leaders are taking to ensure that their campus remains a safe and secure place for all of its community members while clarifying the role each member of a community plays in keeping the school safe.
Join Safe Schools Maryland Now
Frequently Asked Questions for Schools and School Officials
What is Safe Schools Maryland?
Safe Schools Maryland is an
ANONYMOUS
tip line and reporting system that allows students, parents, and community members to easily and anonymously report school or student safety concerns anywhere in Maryland. Tips received are routed to school, public safety, health, and/or social services personnel for follow up.
How are tips reported?
There are three ways to anonymously report information to
Safe Schools Maryland:
→App: SafeSchoolsMD available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play
→Web: safeschoolsmd.org
→Phone: 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233)
How does the process work?
Trained tip takers respond to tips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. In cases of immediate life threats or crimes in progress, local 9-1-1 and law enforcement will be notified immediately. In situations where a credible tip is impending but not immediate, or cases in which information is useful to the school but does not warrant immediate action, designated school officials are notified through the
Safe Schools Maryland
system. In all cases, designated school officials are notified for follow-up.
Who can report a tip?
Tips can be reported by all members of the community.
Does this change how our school handles safety issues or follows up on safety-related incidents?
No. In fact,
Safe Schools Maryland
is just another way for information to come to the attention of the school and supports your existing practices, policies, and initiatives.
Safe Schools Maryland encourages schools to leverage the program as part of their overall school safety plan.
By joining
Safe Schools Maryland, will it appear that my school is unsafe?
No. In fact, just the opposite is true. By being a member of
Safe Schools Maryland, you give parents, students, staff, and community members a chance to report concerns before they become major issues. You take a proactive preventative approach instead of waiting until an issue arises and reacting.
Does this replace 9-1-1?
No. Individuals should still call 9-1-1 in cases of emergency. Any immediate life threats or crimes in progress that come into
Safe Schools Maryland will be routed to 9-1-1 along with designated school recipients.
Is there a fee for schools to join?
No. There are zero fees for any Maryland school - public, private, or otherwise - to join and maintain membership with
Safe Schools Maryland.
How can my school be involved?
Schools can choose to join Safe Schools Maryland by using this form. Upon completion of the registration form, contacts will be added to the system and a 45-minute training session on how to use the system and address tips will be scheduled. Each contact listed for that school should attend a training session, as there are important privacy and security guidelines that are covered. You can also become a champion for
Safe Schools Maryland in your school community by both ensuring staff and students are aware of the program and looking for opportunities to promote
Safe Schools Maryland wherever possible throughout the school year. Free promotional materials that you are encouraged to share with your community are available within the “Multimedia Resources” tab on this page of the Maryland for School Safety (MCSS) website.
Can I request a presentation or training session for my school, staff, or students?
Yes! MCSS is available to conduct an overview presentation of
Safe Schools Maryland and training sessions for school staff members on how to navigate the entire anonymous reporting system.
Join Safe Schools Maryland Now
