Following the mass shooting at a Colorado supermarket last month, a bill that would require Nebraska’s Department of Education to establish an anonymous threat reporting system is close to a vote. LB322 would require the reporting system for potential threats in all the state’s K-12 schools. Mark Scalora is the Director of the University of Nebraska’s Public Policy Center and national expert in assessing threats. He said when looking at situations that have gone badly, there are usually warning signs in the individuals. And he said it is important to speak up if there is something off.
“Trust your instinct, trust your gut. If you think something is amiss go to someone you trust and raise a question.”
Scalora, who testified on behalf of the bill, said it would allow students to anonymously potential threats involving classmates, or if a student is being bullied or doesn’t seem to be doing well mentally. He said it would not only help with threats, but also help preventing youth suicides.
“Let’s say somebody encounters something they are uncomfortable with but they are not sure where to go. This gives them another outlet to go to, to raise a concern.”
Ultimately, speaking up and reaching out to someone you trust is the best thing to do, Scalora said. The suspect in the Colorado shooting allegedly made threats while he was a high school student and was also allegedly bullied.