On August 14, 1998 the Georgia Department of Education announced the arrival of Georgia's toll-free, anonymous 1-877-SAY-STOP (1-877-729-7867) school safety hotline. 1-877-SAY-STOP is the nation's first state-sponsored school safety hotline and is one example of the Georgia Safety and Violence Task Force's accomplishments.

Jeff Hodges has been selected to work the hotline. Mr. Hodges is a criminal justice graduate of the University of Georgia and is certified by the Georgia Peace Officer and Standards Training Council.

How does the hotline work?
The hotline is designed for crisis prevention. If students know of an unsafe situation in school (weapons violations, bomb threats, drugs or alcohol, bullying, etc.), they can anonymously pass on that information through the hotline, initiating immediate and appropriate action.

Depending on the urgency of the call, the hotline operator contacts the appropriate law enforcement agency and the local school system. The local school system is asked to inform the Georgia Department of Education of the outcome and subsequent actions taken in conjunction with the call.

Of course, not all hotline calls are emergencies. The hotline is also a valuable information resource for educators, administrators, parents, and anyone who may have questions regarding safety in Georgia schools.

When can I call 1-877-SAY-STOP?
1-877-SAY-STOP is a toll-free, 24-hour school safety hotline. During regular business hours, the operator at the Georgia Department of Education works the hotline. Hotline calls are transferred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after regular business hours and on weekends and holidays.

Do I have to reveal my identity?
No. Hotline callers are not asked to reveal their identities unless they choose to do so.

What is being done to promote the hotline?
To give the hotline maximum exposure, Georgia schools are asked to promote the hotline. The Georgia Department of Education developed a poster to help schools promote the hotline. The poster is available for download below.

Click here to download the poster.

What can I do to help?
Get involved.

• Become more active in your child's school by introducing yourself to teachers and administrators.
• Volunteer to help by offering your expertise, time, and resources.
• Make the most of conferences and other meetings concerning your child's education.
• Come prepared with a detailed list of questions about your child's progress and goals.
• Focus on what your child does well and needs to learn, and find out how to help if your child is having problems.
• Spend more time with your child.
Monitor your child's behavior.

Look for signs of trouble or emotional distress such as:

• A sudden plunge or a slow, steady slide in grades and/or increased absence from school.
• Dropping old friends in favor of a new, unfamiliar crowd -- especially known drug and alcohol abusers.
• Withdrawing from other people, family, and events.
• Secretive or sneaky behavior.
• Hostile, defiant behavior against authority and rules.
• Loss of memory.
• Change in personal grooming habits (little attention to bathing, dress, hair, etc.).
• Need for money resulting in requests for allowance increases, stealing cash, or selling possessions.
• Loss of appetite or noticeable weight change. Disappearances for long stretches of time.
• Red, glassy-eyed look.
• Runny, irritated nose.
• Hyperactive "up" behavior alternating with irritability.
• Possession of room and breath deodorizers, rolling papers, and other paraphernalia.