Perry residents are encouraged to use a state issued program to support school districts with different situations. Perry Police Chief underscores the importance of the Iowa Safe and Sound Program.

Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn says the Iowa Safe and Sound program is part of Governor Kim Reynolds initiative that allows people in the community to make anonymous reports about students, staff, or other citizens to law enforcement about potential dangers. He explains that the information transfers to the Perry School District and law enforcement in order to identify the credibility of the threat. 

“Try to figure out if that’s, first of all, if it’s a credible threat, something that we need to act on immediately, or determine whether it’s criminal in nature or maybe not a credible threat, and maybe just rumor. Also, maybe it’s just someone that needs some assistance in this world, whether that be through the school system itself with academics or something like that as more of a school issue, or possibly maybe a mental health issue that we can address.”

Vaughn points to a few options for making an anonymous report. He advises people to use the Iowa Safe & Sound app, visit the Iowa Department of Public Safety website, or call the tip line. More information is available at https://dps.iowa.gov/SafeandSoundIowa or by calling 1-800-224-6018.