JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Brad Meyers, school safety officer for Jamestown Public Schools, recently gave us a lesson on how to use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.

He says it allows middle and high schoolers, parents, teachers and staff to tip off the district about someone who may be doing harm to themselves.

"So that we can kind of step in and assist them," said Meyers.

It also applies to someone who may be plotting violence against others in or away from school. 

"It creates a level of security for the school system," Meyers said. "It gives the reporter an opportunity to say something anonymously that so again we or law enforcement can step in and prevent the incident from occurring."

The program is part of the Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-profit established following the shooting death of 20 elementary school children and six adults in December 2014 in Newtown, Connecticut.

Tips go directly to the group's call center and immediately back to the district. 

"We like to take those opportunities to improve the safety and security of our buildings," said Matthew McGarrity, interim assistant superintendent for management services with BOCES.

Erie 2 Chautauqua, Cattaraugus BOCES, and member districts are the first of 37 BOCES in the state to partner with the group.

BOCES received a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, as leaders say growing a culture of safety and security is a top priority. 

"That culture is we're going to do everything that we can to try to prevent any kind of school threat or a safety issue in our school," said McGarrity. "And we're going to be aware and when we're aware, and we have these kinds of tools, either with their phone, at their fingertips to report something like that, it's all part of our role in order to do that."

Jamestown launched the program in November. Part of its comprehensive safety initiative includes conducting threat assessments, hiring additional mental health staff and rolling out interventions and curriculum.

"How to navigate emotion, how to recognize stress, how to recognize and help other people. So, we're starting at the beginning so that all kids can learn something," said Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Whitaker.

Whitaker works closely with Brad, who encourages people not to be afraid to say something.

"You're going to save the life of an individual if this is a self-harm situation. You're going to save the lives of numerous people if this is an individual or group of individuals planning to do mass or massive harm to more than one person. We're not aware of these incidents taking place until someone lets us know," said Meyers.

Erie 2 BOCES is in the process of training staff and hopes to have the program running this fall.

BOCES leaders say they remain hopeful others will follow in their footsteps and sign on to the promise.

A link to the anonymous reporting system for JPS can be found here.