NC launches app allowing students to anonymously report school threats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Education leaders in North Carolina introduced an app that will help save students' lives Thursday.

[ALSO READ: CMS makes school safety its top priority]

When students, parents and teachers see suspicious behavior, the Say Something app will make it easier for them to report it and will help police and school officials investigate situations quicker.

[ALSO READ: High school team designs safety device for classroom]

The new app will be available in every middle and high school in North Carolina and every tip will be anonymous.

Leaders hope it will help prevent something like what happened at Butler High School last year when a student brought a gun to school and shot and killed another student in the hallway.

Lawmakers set aside $5 million last year to develop the app and all districts will have access to the new safety resources in the fall.

Five districts, including Avery County, recently tested a school safety app.

During the pilot, 39 percent of the tips were for bullying, 25 percent were for drugs and the rest were about fighting, weapons and underage drinking.

Cox Media Group