Seattle Public Schools will implement a new digital threat reporting platform this autumn, enabling students and staff to quickly alert authorities about potential security concerns through mobile and computer applications.
The SaferWatch system, funded by a federal grant, allows users to report suspicious activity through an app, text message, or online portal before situations escalate. The programme includes anonymous tip reporting, mobile panic alerts, direct law enforcement connections, and live video feeds monitored by a 24-hour operations centre.
The initiative reflects growing concerns about school safety following recent incidents at Seattle’s Ingraham and Garfield high schools, as well as broader national trends in campus security. Tony Montalto, whose 14-year-old daughter Gina was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, advocates for such systems through his organisation Stand with Parkland.
“Sadly, after each school shooting you hear people come forward and say, ‘We knew about this,’ or, ‘We heard this piece or that piece,'” Montalto explained. His advocacy group partnered with Seattle Public Schools to implement the reporting system, emphasising early intervention over punitive measures.
April Schentrup, who relocated to the Seattle area after losing her daughter Carmen in the Parkland shooting, informed SPS about the SaferWatch programme. Carmen had planned to attend the University of Washington or University of Florida to pursue medical research focused on ALS treatment.
“I think that SaferWatch is a great compromise to having quick access to law enforcement, but not having law enforcement within the schools directly,” Schentrup said. Her advocacy reflects efforts by Parkland families to prevent similar tragedies through enhanced reporting mechanisms.
The system operates under the premise that students often become aware of potential threats through social media and peer communications before adults. By providing accessible reporting channels, schools aim to capture early warning signs that might otherwise go unreported due to fear or uncertainty about proper procedures.
Florida school districts have already deployed SaferWatch to investigate threats, according to programme officials. The 24-hour monitoring centre provides continuous oversight and can coordinate responses with local law enforcement agencies when situations require intervention.
Acting Superintendent Fred Podesta stated that the system’s “ability for real-time, two-way communication during emergencies empowers our staff, students, and families to respond swiftly and stay informed.” The implementation represents SPS’s latest effort to balance safety concerns with maintaining supportive educational environments.
The programme raises questions about the balance between security measures and school climate, as districts nationwide grapple with creating safe learning environments without fostering anxiety or over-surveillance. The anonymous reporting feature aims to encourage participation whilst protecting students who might hesitate to come forward through traditional channels.
