U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) recently introduced the Modern School Threat Reporting Act, which seeks to help schools address school safety concerns.
The legislation creates new grants for states to develop a mobile application that allows students and teachers to report threats to local law enforcement. The bill is based on a state law passed in Florida championed by Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was killed in the Parkland school shooting earlier this year.
“After the tragedy in Florida, students and those in the greater Parkland community came forward about previous signs of mental instability and the intentions of the perpetrator. Creating an avenue to anonymously report threats to local law enforcement will promote community safety and may prevent another one of these horrific events from occurring,” MacArthur said. “These innovative and modern tools will help states with their specific needs and bolster ongoing efforts to secure schools and create an effective relationship between schools and law enforcement agencies.”
Along the same lines, MacArthur also introduced the Mental Health and Public Safety Partnership Act, which establishes a national pilot program to place social workers in police departments around the country.
“In many towns across the country, there is a gap between mental health and law enforcement services that needs to be filled. Fostering relationships between law enforcement officials and social workers will better serve our communities and enhance safety throughout our communities,” MacArthur said.
Pollack, founder of Americans for Children’s Lives and School Safety, has endorsed both of MacArthur’s bills.
“After my daughter was taken from me, I made it my mission to bring people together to do more to protect our schools,” Pollack said. “I stood at The White House, in front of the world, imploring our elected leaders to work together to fix it. There have been some steps taken to make our children safer, but we need to do more. I believe that Congressman Tom MacArthur’s legislation at the federal level will help.”
Pollack is collaborating with MacArthur on a bill to help schools stay safe. The bill would expand the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to high schools receiving federal funds.
The Clery Act is a federal law that requires colleges to keep records of criminal activity on and around their campuses and make that information available to the community.
“Ensuring that students, parents, and the community is made aware of criminal activity in and around our schools is another important step to improving school safety in the United States,” MacArthur said.