Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
The Denver Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Denver Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado have joined together to share resources with the public to encourage proactive reporting to law enforcement for situations in which there could be a danger to an individual or the community.
In light of the recent violent attacks in workplaces, stores, schools, and public places, and as pandemic restrictions ease across the nation, we ask you to stay alert. We are not aware of any specific, credible threats at this time, but we ask the public to remain vigilant.
The public plays a critical role in keeping our nation and our neighborhoods safe. If you see something suspicious or notice behavior that does not seem quite right, contact law enforcement. Tell them who and what you saw, where and when you saw it, and why it seemed suspicious or unusual. We recognize that individuals themselves are not suspicious, behaviors are. We will review all reports submitted. Hopefully, the concern turns out to be non-threatening, but your information could save lives. Help us make the community safer. If you see something, say something.
The team of local, state, and federal representatives gathered today provided a variety of resources you may contact to report your concerns, whether they are about someone’s escalating behavior that appears to be heading toward potential violence, or about a concerning motivation or ideological shift that could lead an individual to a dangerous act against another individual, a certain community, or against him or herself. An informed and alert community plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe.
Resources:
- Denver Police Department – Report emergencies via call or text to 911. Report non-emergency suspicious or illegal activity by calling 720-913-2000. Report information regarding unsolved crimes or wanted individuals anonymously & confidentially to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP or https://www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com/report-a-crime.
- Colorado Attorney General’s Office—Safe2Tell – Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to the safety of themselves and others. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit nor mental health counseling service provider; it is a conduit of information for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement and school officials pursuant to state law. To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- FBI – Report tips anonymously and in a variety of languages by phone to 1-800-CALLFBI (national tipline), 303-629-7171 (Denver FBI Office), or online to https://tips.fbi.gov/.
- FBI Sources of Information and Resources:
- https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/pre-attack-behaviors-of-active-shooters-in-us- 2000-2013.pdf/view (Stressors—pages 15-16; Concerning Behaviors—pages 17-19)
- https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/making-prevention-a-reality.pdf/view (Bystanders Become Upstanders—pages 11-15; Pathway to Violence—pages 24-28; Threat Enhancers—pages 29-37; Trip Wires and Warning Signs—pages 90-91)
- https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-event-quick-referenceguide_ 2015.pdf/view
- https://www.fbi.gov/survive Active Shooter Resources:
- Run.Hide.Fight (training video – customers at a bar are caught in an active shooter event. By employing the run, hide, and fight tactics, as well as knowing the basics of rendering first aid to others, they are prepared, empowered, and able to survive the attack): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeOdxKozra0
- Prepare to Survive (training video – describes how to employ the run, hide, and fight tactics to survive an active shooter incident. Although set in a house of worship, these principles can be applied anywhere): https://youtu.be/55v7fP5nn9c
- In the Aftermath—When the Shooting Stops, the Healing Begins (documentary- best practices after school shooting tragedies, including family reunification, dealing with accompanying trauma, and crisis planning. It highlights the difficult journey of recovery while also giving hope to survivors): https://youtu.be/3sKyH68L7OE
- Echoes of Columbine (video exploring the issue of school shootings and what schools, parents, and law enforcement can do to help prevent these attacks): https://youtu.be/zgeRtRo862w