New Hotline Could Save Lives

June 29, 2018

Hotline Created to Encourage Threat Reporting

To help prevent violent incidents, an individual will soon be able to submit an anonymous report via a phone, computer or smartphone app through the new Safe2Say program.

Under Act 44 of 2018, the new tip line would allow students, teachers and community residents to anonymously report any unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities in schools.

The tip line, administered by the Office of Attorney General, will be staffed by trained professionals who can appropriately respond to the situation and provide the reporter peace of mind that their concern will be addressed.

It is modeled after the Safe2Tell program in Colorado, which has received more than 30,000 reports since its inception in 2004, including reports of a planned school attack, suicidal threats and child abuse.

New Law to Enhance School Safety

As a way to give school officials more guidance in creating safer schools, Act 44 of 2018 also calls for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to offer a uniform approach to evaluating current security measures in every school building in Pennsylvania.

It will also require schools to provide employees with mandatory training on school safety and security, and mandate school security drills to be held in each school annually.

A final component of the new law will allow public school entities, such as school boards, to go into private, executive session for school safety discussions. This will allow school officials to freely debate and develop security plans that address the needs of their schools without disclosing their plans to would-be attackers.

Stay Cool and Safe this Summer for Less

As the summer heats up, the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) has valuable information to help you stay safe in the heat and save money on costs associated with cooling your home.

For example, did you know clothes dryers and dishwashers produce a lot of heat? Due to this, it is best to operate them in the early morning or later at night. The PUC publication includes more energy saving (and money saving) tips to help you reduce your energy costs.

According to the PUC, approximately 175 Americans succumb to the demands of summer heat each year. The PUC therefore offers 10 easy ways to stay healthy and safe during the hot summer months.

Please take a few minutes to read this helpful and important information.

Independence Day Reminders

More than 240 years ago next week in Philadelphia, the 13 American colonies signed the Declaration of Independence to break free from British rule. To read more about the origins of American independence and our forefathers, click here.

If you are traveling, check out 511pa.com, which is free and available 24 hours a day. The site, along with its Twitter handle @511pa, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.

PennDOT will also close its driver license service centers on Wednesday, July 4. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.

Have a safe and happy July Fourth!

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