STUDENT TIP LINE TARGETS VIOLENCE

APPLETON, WISCONSIN -- A tip line has been established at Appleton East
High School through which students aware of violent or drug-related
behavior on or off campus can call and report their suspicions anonymously.

The phone system--which disguises the caller's voice so even the
administrator checking the phone mail will not know who the person is--was
announced Thursday.

To report an incident, a student calls the number and leaves a message. The
mail will be checked before school and on weekends if officials feel it is
necessary.

"It's kind of a no-brainer to utilize," said Daryl Herrick, the school's
principal.

The school also plans to add informational tapes to the system, giving
parents a place to call for information on issues such as parenting or
drugs.

Herrick said officials hope the line will generate calls on incidents
involving drug deals, weapons and physical altercations that haven't been
major at the school but are better to prevent early.

"Our focus is really on more significant safety issues where we can
intervene early," he said.