Ohio Homeland Security, Ohio Department of Education partner to support schools

In response to requests for information relative to planning school safety initiatives, Ohio Homeland Security has partnered with the Ohio Department of Education to assemble informational resources from a variety of reliable sources and is providing them to Ohio’s school administrators and the law enforcement community.

This effort seeks to provide administrators and law enforcement professionals with the best information currently available on the issue of school safety.

Resources have been collected and posted to the Ohio Homeland Security website. A school resource toolkit for both educators and law enforcement is available for download through the Contact and Information System (CIMS). CIMS is a secure website and requires the submission of a brief application.

“We are focused on improving safety in the state of Ohio through not only providing support and resources, but also increasing Ohioan’s awareness concerning potential threats,” said Richard C. Baron, Executive Director of Ohio Homeland Security.
“It is vital that our schools provide our children an environment that is both physically and emotionally secure,” said Acting-Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Sawyers. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Ohio Homeland Security to provide valuable safety resources for law enforcement and educators in one location.”

Ohio supports and participates in the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign which encourages citizens who witness something suspicious to contact the statewide intelligence tip number or their local law enforcement agency. The effective reporting of suspicious activity helps law enforcement officials intervene before a suspect commits an act of violence.

An aware and engaged public that understands what constitutes unusual and suspicious behavior is essential to preventing violent crime in our schools.

"If You See Something, Say Something;" contact Ohio Homeland Security at (877) OHS-INTEL or for emergencies, call 911.