Norman Public Schools and Norman Police Department announce new partnerships

NORMAN -- The Norman Public School District and the Norman Police Department have again worked together to enhance school safety by launching the Norman Crime Stoppers and Handle with Care programs in schools. 

“At Norman Public Schools, we are truly fortunate to have such wonderful community partners that allow us to go above and beyond for our students,”said Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino. “Our partnership with the Norman Police Department, and the relationships our SROs form with our students and staff every day, are crucial to our ability to ensure the safety and security of our schools. We’re thrilled to be able to take part in these innovative programs with the Norman Police Department and particularly to have another tool at our disposal to serve students who have experienced trauma in their lives.”

The Norman Crime Stoppers program encourages the public to help keep schools safe by reporting any suspicious or unusual activity. Crime Stoppers provides a safe, anonymous way for individuals to report criminal activity. It is a mutual partnership between citizens, law enforcement, and the criminal justice department. The program aims to reduce crime and enhance the quality and safety of Norman through collaboration with different community groups.

Individuals who are concerned about something they saw or heard at school, are encouraged to immediately call Norman Crime Stoppers at 405-366-STOP and contact the school principal to anonymously report abuse, bullying, drugs, guns, suicide risks, threats and more.

Tips can be submitted anonymously online at www.p3tips.com/1323. To submit an anonymous tip via the smartphone app, download the free P3 TIPS app from your app store. 

The district and the police department have also partnered to implement the Handle with Care program. The notification process allows law enforcement to send a “handle with care” alert to a student’s school when they have been involved in a traumatic incident. While the school does not receive any information other than the child’s name and the alert, it enables the school to exercise the trauma-informed training provided in coordination with the Handle with Care program. The goal of the program is to promote safe schools, and communities, while ensuring that every child is able to thrive in school even when they face trauma at home. 

“We’re committed to protecting and serving the children of our community,” said Chief Kevin Foster of the Norman Police Department. “We’re thrilled to partner with Norman Public Schools in these unique programs to enhance student safety and to build relationships of caring.”

Norman Public Schools and the Norman Police Department are active partners on several additional initiatives that enhance the safety of Norman’s schools. The Norman Police Department provides specially trained police officers, known as School Resource Officers, to build positive relationships and be visible in schools. In addition to making schools safer, these officers serve as mentors and advocates for our students, enhancing their educational experience. 

The district also partners with the Norman Police Department to provide teachers and administrators with the Rave Panic mobile app that can be activated in emergencies. The app reduces response time and immediately notifies the appropriate responders of the nature and location of the emergency. The Norman Public School District was the first in Oklahoma to implement the emergency notification system. 

To learn more about Norman Public Schools’ commitment to safety, visit normanpublicschools.org/safety