SPEAK UP is Saving Lives!

Young people call the anonymous 1-866-SPEAK-UP hotline every day, helping to prevent tragedies and to save lives! Here are just a few recent examples (with details removed to protect students' anonymity):

In each case, the schools and law enforcement were notified immediately and intervened successfully.

• May 2009. California. Caller reported that a fellow student had threatened to kill "everyone who ever messed with him." The caller believes that the student had access to a gun and may act on his threat at school. Local police responded to the threat and worked in conjunction with school authorities to investigate.
• March 2009. Arizona. Caller wished to report that a high school student showed off a rifle she had taken from her father's gun collection and discussed plans to smuggle it into school the following day. Investigators and school officials successfully investigated the threat.
• January 2009. Pennsylvania. Caller stated that there was a boy who was threatening to shoot up people at school. Law enforcement investigated following SPEAK UP tip.
• November 2008. Pennsylvania. Caller reported that a twelfth grade student threatened to beat her up and bring a gun to school. The caller gave the suspect’s full name and the name of the gun store that the suspect’s parents own, where the suspect can presumably get weapons.
• October 2008. North Carolina. Caller reported a threat of potential school violence. The caller said that a female student said that she wanted to bring a gun to school to seek revenge on students who pick on her. The full name of the suspect was given. The school and law enforcement authorities investigated and were able to conduct an intervention with the suspect.
• October 2008. Alabama. Caller reported that a student was threatening to kill his seventh grade teacher. The caller gave the suspect’s name and a detailed physical description.
• October 2008. Kentucky. Caller stated that a student was keeping a small gun in his coat. The caller gave the suspect’s name and said that the gun was at school today.
  
• September 2008. Georgia. The caller explained to the hotline counselor that there is a threat at school that a student wants to shoot the superintendent and random students at the high school football game. The caller gave the date and time of the game.
  
• September 2008. Pennsylvania. Caller reported that a specific student was planning to shoot the caller's friend at school. He gave the date of the threat of violence, named the suspected student, and described his physical appearence. The caller believes that the suspect is in a gang.
  
• August 2008. Arizona. Caller stated that a student was threatening to shoot specific students in the school. The caller gave the suspect’s full name, grade level, and a physical description.
  
• June 2008. Washington. Caller stated a friend is planning to bring a gun to school. The caller gave the full name of the suspect and the full name of the intended victim, and reported that the suspect could acquire weapons from her father.
  
• May 2008. Virginia. Caller stated that a boy is threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend and her friends at school. The caller gave the suspect’s full name, grade level, and a physical description, as well as, information about the purported gun.
  
• May 2008. Illinois. Caller stated that a male friend will be bringing a gun to school because he is upset. The caller gave the suspect’s full name and a physical description.
  
• April 2008. Washington. Caller stated that a student at school had threatened to stab him on Monday. The caller gave the suspect’s first name, grade level, and physical description.