Imminent Warning Signs TOP
How can you tell if danger or violence is about to happen at your school?

While there is no formula to perfectly predict violent acts, there are certain signs each of us need to be paying attention to if we want our schools and communities to be safe.

Extensive research shows that the following behaviors signal potential danger, and are cause for great concern. However, it’s extremely important to know that this is not a “checklist” to be used to stereotype anyone. These imminent warning signs need to be viewed in the appropriate context. If these warning signs are evident to more than one person, and become increasingly more open, hostile and threatening, action needs to be taken. You should notify a school official or other trusted adult immediately. If you are unable to or uncomfortable doing this, you may contact the WAVE Line (1-888-960-9600).

The imminent warning signs include:

Notify a school or law enforcement official immediately if you know of someone at your school who . . .

By acting immediately in response to imminent warning signs, you could prevent a senseless tragedy. You should speak to a trusted adult or call the WAVE Line. Also, learn more about What You Can Do If Someone You Know Shows Violence Warning Signs.

Why Call the WAVE Line TOP

If you are a student, parent, guardian, relative, or community member who knows of dangerous or illegal activity that has happened or is going to happen in any public middle or high school in North Carolina, the WAVE Line is designed for you.

Call the WAVE Line at 1-888-960-9600 if you want to report . . .

Threats of Violence
Aggressive Behavior
Weapons on Campus
Drugs or Alcohol on Campus
Harassment
Vandalism
Suicide Threats
Anything Else Harmful to You or Your School

The WAVE Line gives you a proactive way you can help prevent and stop violence at your school.

By knowing and responding appropriately to the Imminent Warning Signs of Violence you can prevent a potentially serious incident. We suggest that your first option should be to tell a Trusted Adult.

What Happens When You Call the WAVE Line TOP

Your call will go to a company working for your school. A person who has been specially trained to listen to your concerns will answer and ask questions like…

What school do you go to? What are you concerned about?
What did you see or hear?
Have you discussed your concerns with a trusted adult?

The trained Communications Specialists (CS) will make handwritten notes as you talk. If necessary, the CS will ask questions to clarify details about the situation. You won’t have to give your name, but your answers to these questions will help the WAVE Line provide your school with information they can use to take care of the situation you called about.

At the end of the call, the WAVE Line will provide you with a unique report number and a date to call back to find out what was done about the situation you reported.

 

What Happens After You Call the WAVE Line TOP

After your call, the WAVE Line prepares a written report and sends it to the responsible person at your school for review. If you choose to remain anonymous, great care is taken to ensure that neither your name nor any identifying details are included in this report. Your school handles reports received from the WAVE Line in the same manner that they handle reports received through other direct communication channels.

To find out what was done about the situation you reported, just call the WAVE Line on the callback date and give your report number. If there is new info, the WAVE Line (1-888-960-9600) will share it with you.

How Do I Use The WAVE Line Responsibly TOP

The WAVE Line gives you a proactive and anonymous way you can report threats of violence and any other safety concerns you have regarding your school. By using the WAVE Line responsibly, you can play a valuable role in preventing violence at your school.

However, before using the WAVE Line you should be aware of the reasons Why to Call the WAVE Line. Also, know that your first option should be to tell a Trusted Adult.

The WAVE Line is strictly for reporting concerns. Threats made to the WAVE Line are considered a federal offense.

Calling from a School Outside of North Carolina TOP

WAVE America is here to help everybody the best we can, no matter where they may be. Right now, we're best able to respond to reports about issues in North Carolina schools. We have been provided a list of school-level and school district-level contacts to whom we can send information about what's happening in schools in North Carolina.

Like our web site says, the best thing to do when you know about a potentially violent situation in your school is to talk to a trusted adult. That could be a parent or guardian, your school counselor, a teacher, a coach, someone at your place of worship, or a police officer who visits your school. If you really feel like you can't talk to anybody in person, and you just want to tell someone about the situation without letting anyone know who you are, then WAVE America is available to assist you.

If you know about a potentially violent situation at a school outside of North Carolina and you'd like to report it through us, we at WAVE America will do everything we can to help you.

When you call WAVE America, please be ready to give us the following information about your school:

School Name
Street Address
City, State
School Principal
School Phone Number
Exact location on campus where the issue takes place

After you call the WAVE Line, a Communications Specialist prepares a written report and sends it to your school for review. If you choose to remain anonymous, great care is taken to ensure that neither your name nor any identifying details are included in this report. Your school will likely handle the report received from the WAVE Line in the same manner that they handle reports received through other direct communication channels.

If you contact the WAVE Line after school business hours, your report will be sent to your school as soon as possible during regular school hours.

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