Williamsville launches Sandy Hook Promise anonymous tip line; district to accept tips after training

Williamsville Central School District officials told the board they will begin accepting tips through the Sandy Hook Promise “See Something, Say Something” anonymous reporting system after a district‑wide rollout of staff training.

"As of this Friday, we will be live, to accept tips," Assistant Superintendent Tony Scanzuzo said, adding that about 11 of the district's 13 schools had completed training and activated the link on their building websites. Scanzuzo described the program as "an anonymous reporting system that trains and educates students grades 4 through 12, and faculty and staff on how to recognize warning signs…" and said the tip line operates 24/7 for life‑threatening tips with extended hours for non‑threatening submissions.

Scanzuzo told the board the program is grant‑funded through the Sandy Hook organization and currently carries "no cost to the district," with a three‑year arrangement expected to be renewed. He said the district has already received and addressed several tips during rollout and that two welfare checks by Amherst Police Department had been conducted since May 20 in response to vetted life‑safety tips.

District officials said the system routes non‑life‑threatening tips to school and district teams (which typically include school administrators and social workers) and routes life‑threatening tips to a crisis center that can involve law enforcement. Scanzuzo said district staff will provide additional training in the fall and that the program complements existing safety measures including the Raptor visitor system, school resource officers and the district safety plan.