The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s Protect OK app helps law enforcement investigate threats

While multiple violent threats have been reported in recent weeks in several Oklahoma City school districts, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has prevented many potential incidents with an app it rolled out last year.

The Department of Public Safety’s Protect OK app allows people to report suspicious activity. DPS said the app emphasizes the importance of reporting any safety concerns.

“We’ve had a lot of tips,” said Sarah Stewart, DPS public information officer. “The app is working.”

Stewart said her department is now focused on prevention, and people can now report suspicious signals through the Protect OK app on their phone, and the app forwards the information to the Oklahoma Counterterrorism Intelligence Center.

OCTIC analysts said they verify threats and provide necessary information to local law enforcement. Stewart said those reports have prevented possible violent incidents, and people can remain anonymous.

“There’s always someone who knows something,” Stewart said. “We need people in the public, people in the school, to be our eyes and ears.”

Stewart said threats are often a cry for help and that people can make a difference in their lives.

“Being a friend and recognizing that sometimes someone needs a little extra help, or needs someone to talk to them, or someone to say, ‘It’s OK,’ or ‘You have a friend,’” Stewart said. “I think kids and really all of us need to be aware of those things.”

Stewart said the entire community has a responsibility to keep everyone safe.

“That’s the thing,” Stewart said. “I hope most people never have to click on this app and do anything, but if you need it, it’s there.”

Stewart said she encourages parents to continue to have conversations about the topic. The Protect OK app is available for download from the Google Play and Apple App stores.