Mt. Lebanon High School steps up police presence in light of violence rumors

Mt. Lebanon Police have stepped up the police presence at the high school in light of rumors circulating regarding possible gun violence, school officials said Tuesday.

High school principal Joel Thompson wrote in a letter to families that multiple tips have been received through Safe2Say, an online and app-based system through which Pennsylvania students can anonymously report tips about threats of school violence or mental health concerns.

Thompson wrote that the investigation so far has not substantiated a social media rumor that a student planned to “shoot up the school.”

Regardless, Thompson said, there will be an increased police presence at the high school for several days. He said staff members have been directed to report any information they might here, any behavior they think is out of the ordinary, and to be particularly visible in the hallways during class changes.

Anyone with information that substantiates the rumor is asked to contact the Mt. Lebanon Police Department or the High School administration.

The Safe2Say Something Anonymous Reporting System was implemented in 2019, a project spearheaded by Attorney General Josh Shapiro through a partnership with the Sandy Hook Promise. Tips and reports can be phoned in or submitted via app or website.

The program generated more than 40,000 tips and reports in its first year, including nearly 7,000 that were categorized as “life-safety” – meaning the report indicated a life was in danger. Shaprio noted at the one-year mark that a majority of tips were in regard to mental health, not threats of school violence as officials had expected.

Crisis management experts and analysts staff a center 24/7 to handle the tips, which topped 50,000 by August 2020.