MEDIA CONTACT:

Andrea Bitely
Megan Hawthorne
517-373-8060
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2016

Schuette: Students at Plymouth-Cantons Liberty

Middle School Join Growing List of OK2SAY Schools
Across Michigan
CANTON Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today introduced the OK2SAY program
to 6th graders at Liberty Elementary School in Canton. Schuette was joined at the presentation by
Liberty Middle School Principal James Hunter, Plymouth-Canton Superintendent Monica
Merritt and F/LT. Denise Powell from the Michigan State Police.
OK2SAY is a student safety initiative that acts as an early warning system in Michigan schools
to prevent tragedies before they occur. Launched in 2014, the program encourages students to
submit confidential tips trained technicians regarding potential harm or threats twenty-four hours
per day.
OK2SAY is making a difference with students in schools across Michigan. Students have a
way to safe report something if they see or hear something that makes them uncomfortable
without feeling like are being a snitch, said Schuette. I am happy to be at Liberty Middle
School to spread the information about OK2SAY to more students. I am confident that with
OK2SAY, every student in Michigan will be able to know about and use this great safety tool.
In two years, OK2SAY has received nearly 5,000 tips in more than 30 categories. Top tip
categories include: peer abuse, cyberbullying, suicide, and self-harm.
Liberty Middle School students and staff are excited about kicking off the 2016-2017 school
year with the OK2SAY program. We have made this program a key component to our school
year as we continue to help students navigate the world of social media and the internet, said
Liberty Middle School Principal James Hunter. Our schools continued opportunity to
collaborate with the Attorney General's office is a clear indication of a united commitment to
keep the students in our community safe.

OK2SAY Success
Through the more than 2,100 tips received in 2015, OK2SAY has saved lives, prevented school
violence, and provided help to many Michigan students in need of mental health or social
services. In the 2015 school year, OK2SAY technicians received 23 tips regarding planned
school attacks; 7 tips regarding guns; and 396 tips regarding suicide threats.
This program empowers students to stand up and say something if they hear something, said
Schuette. Whether it is avoiding a potential shooting situation or helping a student who is
planning to take their own life, the bottom line is OK2SAY saves lives. It is as simple as that and
it is tangible proof it is working.
Fighting the Culture of Silence
OK2SAY is operated through a partnership between the Department of Attorney General,
Michigan State Police, state agencies, schools, parents, law enforcement, and community
leaders.
A U.S. Secret Service study reported that in 81% of violent school incidents, someone other than
the attacker knew about the plan but didnt report it. OK2SAY discourages the persistent culture
of silence among students who fear being labeled a snitch. It gives a voice to students who might
otherwise remain silent out of fear of retaliation or rejection.
The key features of OK2SAY include:
Confidential Reporting: State law protects the confidentiality of the reporters identity. The
identity of the reporting party will not be disclosed to local law enforcement, school officials, or
the person about whom a tip is offered, unless the reporter voluntarily chooses to disclose his or
her identity. If the reporter is a minor, the parent or guardian must also consent.
Comprehensive Technology: Anyone can confidentially submit tips 24/7 using any of the five
tip methods detailed below. Multi-media attachments like photos, videos, and links to additional
information are encouraged.
Coordinated Intervention: Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY technicians at the
Michigan State Police screen and forward tips to an appropriate responding agency including:
local law enforcement, schools, local community mental health organizations, or the Michigan
Department of Health and Human Services.
Accountability: Each responding organization is asked to complete an Outcome Report detailing
the nature of the tip, how the tip was handled, and whether the tip situation was resolved or
requires ongoing attention. This provides local entities an opportunity to illustrate that student
safety threats are tracked and taken seriously. The 2015 Annual Report details the types and
numbers of tips handled throughout the year.

How to Submit a Tip

OK2SAY encourages confidential tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at
students, school employees, and schools. Tips can be submitted through the following ways:
Call: 1-8-555-OK2SAY, 1-855-565-2729
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Email: ok2say@mi.gov
Web: www.ok2say.com
OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download in app stores for iPhone and Android.

Attorney General Bill Schuette with 6th grade students from Liberty Middle School before
today's OK2SAY presentation.
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