Frequently Asked Questions
What is Safeline?
Safeline is an anonymous tip line available for anyone to report a safety concern. Safeline also can be used to report a crime or a violation of District policy. Simply call 397-SAFE (7233)
Who should call Safeline?
Anyone, including students, parents, staff, and members of the community who have any safety concerns.
When is Safeline available?
Safeline can be called any time, day or night. The Northside Police Department monitors and manages the system.
What if I don't want my identity known?
Safeline is designed to be completely anonymous and does not use any caller ID devices. However, callers are welcome to leave their names and telephone numbers.
When is it a good idea to call Safeline?
Citizens, parents, staff, and students should call anytime they have information about an illegal activity, a potential threat, or any type of safety issue. Examples could include information about:
- A gun in school
- Drugs in school
- A fight involving students
- A suspicious person at a school
- A theft or burglary at a campus
- A fallen tree limb on a campus or playground
- A broken step leading into a building
- Any threat to student or staff safety
When is it NOT a good idea to call Safeline?
When there's an imminent threat to someone's safety or there's an incident that needs an immediate response. If you or your campus needs an immediate police response, call NISD Police Dispatch at 397-5600 24 hours a day. If you need an ambulance or the Fire Department, call 9-1-1
If I call Safeline, what information do I need to provide?
It's crucial that callers leave as many details as possible about an incident or situation, otherwise NISD police officers will not be able to respond appropriately. When leaving a message, it might help to think about answering as many of these questions as possible: Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
Does Safeline work?
Yes, there are numerous Safeline successes. Thanks to information from callers, Northside police officers are able to act quickly and keep campuses safe.
History
On March 23, 2001, the Northside Independent School District initiated Safeline, a proactive telephone hotline designed to increase safety at Northside Schools. The system is an automated voicemail system that is monitored and managed by the Northside ISD Police department. It is operated seven days a week, 24 hours a day and addresses reports of crime, violations of district policy, and safety concerns. The system is completely anonymous and does not use any caller I.D. devices, although callers are encouraged to leave their names and telephone numbers.
Since its inception, Safeline has averaged about 20 calls per month, many coming from parents who wish to report incidents or potential problems told to them by their children. The goals are preventative; the police department wants to stop problems before they happen and uses tips from Safeline to help make Northside schools safer environments.
Chief of Northside Police John Page described Safeline as part of an overall program to reduce problems in schools and promote safety.
"It has been very successful with students, citizens, and parents in the community," he said. "We urge them to keep it up."
Northside police officers keep the momentum going for the program throughout the year by giving presentations at schools or in neighborhoods and by distributing Safeline magnets, bookmarks, and information.
"It is important to keep the public interested in the program," Page said. "Our Police Department works with the schools and District offices to make sure Safeline continues to help improve the safety and confidence in NISD schools."
