13TH DISTRICT

COMMITTEES
SCOTT MARTIN

appropriations
SENATE BOX 203013
HARRISBURS, pa 17120-3013 Local government, vice chair
Phone: <717) 787-6S3S Environmental Resources a Energy
fax:(717) 772-5471
Health a Human Services

48-SO West Chestnut Street Aging a Youth

Suite 308
Communications a Technology
LANCASTER, PA 17603
Phone:(717) 397-1309
Fax: (717) 299-7798

WWW.8enatOrsCOttniartinpa.a3m

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January 11. 2019

Office of the Attorney General

393 Walnut Street, 16"'Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Dear Attorney General Shapiro,

Since its passage in June, our respective offices have kept in contact with and attended training sessions
alongside local school districts regarding the impending roll-out of the new Safe-To-Say program. With
the official start date ofthis program quickly approaching, we wanted to bring to your attention some of
the feedback we have received.

First and foremost, there appears to be confusion between the three main stakeholders in the program; the
school districts, the 911 dispatch centers and law enforcement. The confusion mainly centers on the
training process and who is responsible to train who. According to reports we received from local
districts and staff who attended trainings, there are dispatch centers and law enforcement groups that have
yet to be trained and the task of educating these entities was passed to the school districts. Due to the fact
that the launch date is in a few days, there have been months of preparation time and the fact that law
enforcement is a major player in the success of this system working effectively, it has been disappointing
to hear that so many entities are still not on the same page and/or not yet trained.

There also seems to be a general lack of understanding by educators of the basic concepts of the program
as well as their general role in the process.

The success ofthis program will be instrumental in keeping our school children safe. We are committed
to ensuring a successful roll-out and will do eveiylhing in our power to work with your office to address
the above-stated issues. We look forward to your response on this feedback.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Scott F. Martin Bryan Cutler

PA State Senator, 13^ Senatorial District PA State Representative, 100*^ District