VWSD Campus Police Launch Online System for Anonymous Reporting

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg-Warren School District Campus Police has launched an online reporting system to give parents and students a safe, secure and confidential way to report concerns that may affect their schools.

The new system, operated through Omnigo Software, allows individuals to report issues that could cause harm to others. VWSD Police Chief LaToria Kerr said the system can be used to report bullying, fighting, threats, weapons, drug or alcohol use, harassment and any behavior that could endanger students or staff.

VWSD Assistant Police Chief Rodney Lehman played a key role in implementing the system.

“It’s user-friendly, and people can report something in it and an incident report will be made so we’ll be immediately notified,” Lehman said. “Screenshots can be uploaded along with videos and any other digital media.”

Kerr and Lehman said the system is a major upgrade to help crack down on serious incidents on school campuses.

“Students are aware of incidents first in many situations,” Kerr said.

According to a 2018 survey by The Police Foundation, out of 41 averted incidents of school violence, students most often discovered suspicious behavior first – more than half the time.

The importance of encouraging a community-based approach to campus safety cannot be understated, but it can be challenging to get students and staff to report suspicious behavior or incidents if they fear it may lead to retaliation or being ostracized.

Everything reported will remain anonymous to the public, and only the VWSD Police will be able to see who made the report where a follow-up will be completed.

Click the link to view the online reporting system.