Anonymous app hotline opens for students to send tips on suspicious behavior

Students in the district can now share important safety information anonymously with school administrators via their smart phone. The Wylie Independent School District Council of Parent Teacher Association is sponsoring the new service, tip411, which allows users to send anonymous, secure tips about crimes or suspicious activities via text message or via the district’s tips app.

“The Wylie ISD Council of PTAs supports the district’s safety policies and concerns for all students and families,” said Heidi PeCoy, Wylie ISD Council of PTAs President. “We believe this program will assist in preventing issues that might go unnoticed or unforeseen. Students and parents will be able to report any suspicious behavior or comments anonymously without the fear of retaliation.”

The tip411 system is currently up and running, and ready for students, parents and community members to use. The Wylie ISD tip411 app is available for free download in the App Store and Google Play, or users can simply send an anonymous tip by texting the keyword “PIRATETIP” or “RAIDERTIP” along with the tip information to 847411.

“While the program is designed for high-school age students and their parents, anyone can submit a tip,” said Ian Halperin, Wylie ISD Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations. “This will not replace our bullying report system, and tip411 can be used for other incidents, both on and off campus. Anonymous web tips can also be submitted from the district website.”

Tips are received in real-time and can be responded to via an interface that allows for secure web and text-based conversations. Each tip is reviewed by administrators and police officers to determine the appropriate follow-up action. The tip411 system is 100 percent anonymous, as its technology removes all identifying information before administrators see it. There is no way to identify the sender.

To learn more about tip411 and how it’s helping schools engage, interact, and protect students, visit www.tip411.com. For more information on Wylie ISD’s tip411 program, contact Ian Halperin, Wylie ISD Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations at: [email protected]