Students Promote School Safety with First Coast Student Crime Stoppers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The safety of our students is our highest priority, and as the new school year begins, it is important to remind students that Duval County Public Schools is a partner with First Coast Crime Stoppers, a program specifically designed for students to be an active part in their schools' safety.
“First Coast Student Crime Stoppers is a proven program and an important component in providing the safest learning environment possible for our students and staff,” said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.
Student Crime Stoppers is a completely anonymous tip line that offers up to $100 for information about criminal acts in schools and up to $500 for information regarding firearms when these tips result in arrests. The program offers students the safety of complete anonymity, while promoting responsibility and allowing students to take action against victimization and crime.
While the district encourages students to first report a crime or suspicion of a crime to a School Resource Officer or a school administrator, if students are uncomfortable or unwilling to speak with a school official, they can call the Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline at 1.866.845.TIPS (8477) or text "TIP326 plus the message" to CRIMES. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at any time.
Examples of When to Call
- Student overhears someone bragging about having committed a crime;
- Student knows someone who is driving a stolen car, hiding from the police, or is a robber or drug dealer;
- Student sees something that doesn't look right – a strange car, a person acting sneaky or someone with a weapon; or
- Anything else that is of concern to a student relating to law enforcement.
First Coast Student Crime Stoppers is led by former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Wylie Hodges, and will be supported in district schools by Chief Richard Townsend and the Duval County School Police Department.
First Coast Crime Stoppers is an international organization that has been in operation for more than 30 years and covers six counties in Northeast Florida. Duval County is one of five school districts in the coverage area to have the Student Crime Stoppers Program. The partnership between Duval County Public Schools and First Coast Crime Stoppers was approved by the School Board in September 2007.
Duval County Public Schools operates 172 schools and serves approximately 123,000 students. The school district is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities that will inspire all students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global economy and culturally diverse world.
More DCPS News
