Katie, TX (KTRK) – As thousands of students flock to Katy ISD schools this week, so are their cell phones.
Katy ISD police harness the power of these devices to make sure students feel safe at school with SpeakUP.
“The importance of SpeakUP is to give people a safe place to bring to our attention what matters to them,” said Frank Muniz, District Police Mental Health Officer.
The application can be used as a direct line of communication without the need to make any calls.
Katy ISD meets students wherever they are – on their phones.
“They know very well how to use the phone, how to download apps, how to interact. It’s very natural for them, so it’s a lot easier for some of these people to talk to us that way than to say it in person,” Muniz said.
Since August 2019, Katy ISD has received 8,764 tips through the app, often on serious topics such as vaping, drugs, date rape, abusive relationships, active shooting threats, and weapons.
There are a total of 41 different categories to choose from when making a tip or enquiry.
The district said it averages 15 tips received each day. Each tip is anonymous.
On the receiving end, the ISD Katy Police dispatches the Campus Department and the recently formed Mental Health Unit.
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“We started a full-time unit in March 2021,” said mental health officer Imran Admani.
The Mental Health Unit is another facet of campus security. Officers, often dressed in civilian clothes and in unmarked cars, are responding to students’ and parents’ concerns around the clock on campus and at home.
“Hey, it’s okay not to be unwell. Just don’t do it yourself,” said Admani.
Admani also said that he and his partner work closely in partnership with campus counselors, licensed psychologists, and school administrators to help students who may want to harm themselves or others.
“Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger because you know they won’t judge you. That’s the best thing I can do for them. I won’t judge you, don’t know you, don’t know me,” said my addiction.
Within the SpeakUP app, anyone can report tips and concerns, upload images such as screenshots or photos, and even live chat with the school police and department.
“Just give them that space to talk where they can’t talk to a parent, or they don’t know how to reach the police, or they don’t want to pick up the phone and call 911, or they don’t know who to call. SpeakUP is the perfect place for that,” Muniz said.
A QR code for easily downloading the SpeakUP app, along with important phone numbers, is located on the back of each Katy ISD student badge.
SpeakUP is also a click away on the home page of Katy ISD website.
Check out a related story: Coming back to school events happening across the Houston area for students
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