As new school year starts, students urged to submit tips to anonymous hotline

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A program aimed at responding to threats quickly and preventing school tragedies continues to see growth in schools across the Kansas City metro.

Christina Ludwig is not just a detective with the Kansas City Police Department, she’s also a mom of three. The safety of her children is always top of mind when they are at school.

“It seems like every year the threats around the schools, it has gotten worse and worse,” she said.

Ludwig was responsible for reviving the Scholastic Crime Stoppers program, which initially started at four schools in the metro in the 1990s. Students are encouraged to send anonymous tips to the Greater Kansas City Crimes Stoppers Hotline. The tips range from reporting weapons to possible assaults to mental health and bullying.

“If we can teach them at this age that they do have the choice to do the right thing or submit the information or help a friend out – or stop bullying if they can, then they’re going to carry that out throughout the rest of their life,” said Ludwig.

Some 26 school districts currently promote Scholastic Crime Stoppers – 176 middle and high schools to be exact – and it’s growing.

“This is the easiest way to tell us what’s going on,” Ludwig said.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were more than 1.3 million violent and non-violent incidents at public schools, across the county, during the 2021-22 school year.

A U.S. Secret Service report, released that same year, found for those contemplating violence, 94% of plotters shared their intentions with others. Yet in 43% of the cases, those who knew failed to say something.

“They’re scared of retaliation,” Ludwig said. “It’s the same as in the communities. Everybody’s scared of retaliation.”

Scholastic tips took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic but they’ve since been on the rise, according to data provided by Crime Stoppers. The number of tips Crime Stoppers received between January 2022 and August 2024, shows Scholastic tips rank fourth behind drugs, homicides and fugitives.

Inside Crossroads Charter Schools in downtown, classes are already underway. The school’s administration opted into the Scholastic program this year.

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“Kids see things and they know things and they just need the tools to be able to trust an adult so we can act on it,” said Kevin LaBranche, the campus safety manager for Crossroads Charter Schools.

Posters with QR codes, along with secured drop boxes are now up around campus, reminding students of the anonymous hotline.

“It’s a great program,” said LaBranche. “Even if it helps save just one student’s life, it’s worth it.”

“We can’t do it by ourselves,” Ludwig added. “It takes a village to raise these children.”

The scholastic tips program has helped to stop 19 suicides and at least one potential mass school shooting in the metro. The anonymous hotline is available to all students, staff and parents. The number is 816-474-TIPS (8477)

You can also submit a web tip by clicking here or through the mobile app here. You can also learn more at www.kc-crime.org. A reminder, all tips to the hotline are anonymous and cash rewards are offered.

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