Drug use, graffiti, hidden weapons, threatening messages, these are all safety issues that LAUSD students navigate on school campuses, but often aren’t sure of the best way to report without facing potential retaliation or harassment.
Now there’s an app for that.
The newly launched Los Angeles Schools Anonymous Reporting (LASAR) mobile application allows all members of the school community — including support staff, teachers, parents and students — to anonymously report suspicious activity in real time.
While 911 remains the best point of contact for emergencies, the LASAR app can be used to call for help in response to a broad range of dangers and concerns ranging from mental health incidents, to property damage, to criminal activity.
Users open the app, fill out a report, choose whether to attach images or videos and decide whether they wish to provide their contact information.
These reports are immediately sent to a watch commander who triages the incidents and deploys an appropriate response such as L.A. School Police Officers, psychiatric social workers or maintenance workers.
The hope is that the application will encourage more people to report incidents, while creating a centralized database and response system for schools to track and solve campus safety problems.
“One of the most impactful benefits of this app is that it leverages the proactive efforts of school communities to stand up to suspicious behaviors and acts of violence without the fear of retaliation by simply submitting an anonymous report for real-time responses,” said Alfonzo Webb, senior director for school operations, at a recent LAUSD board meeting.
Board members enthusiastically embraced the application as a 21st century solution to the realities of 21st century dangers on campus, including an increase in gun violence and overdoses.
“As drugs and fentanyl make their way into our schools, we need all creative solutions to protect our students and keep drugs off our…
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