In recent years, there has been an increasing number of school shootings, reports of weapons brought into schools, and bullying. Of course, this can lead to some concern for the safety of students at their own schools. But this year, Wharton is introducing their answer to the problem: Fortify.
Fortify is a digital tool that students can use to anonymously report any suspicious behavior they noticed at school. If you have ever heard someone threaten a peer at school, witnessed someone bring in a weapon, or been in any other situation which made you feel unsafe, faculty recommends you report it on Fortify.
“Fortify is a free to use service that allows users to send anonymous tips about dangerous situations they notice. For example, if a student hears about a school shooting threat, they can send a tip that will allow officials to conduct further investigation,” Leo Camargo, a senior, said.
Fortify is easy to use, with just a few steps to follow to submit a report, or tip. To get to the site, visit www.getfortifyfl.com, and click “Submit a Tip Online.” After that, the site will walk you through the process, in which you must first, type in your school’s name, write out the details of the incident, choose whether you would like to include a picture/video or not, put your contact information, and lastly, confirm your incident report. Once your tip is submitted, it will be sent to law enforcement and school safety officials.
Wharton’s decision to implement the use of Fortify stems from recent tragic events that have decreased the feeling of security at schools, specifically the mass shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school 6 years ago. Staff hope that the site will keep everyone a few steps ahead, so officials will be prepared if a threat were to happen.
“I would like students to be able to feel like they can come to school to learn in a safe, open environment,” Victoria Lacomba, a teacher at Wharton, said.
While Fortify is a great response to recent events and is obviously an effort to keep students safer, not everyone feels this effect. Some people are concerned that even with the availability and easy use of Fortify, it will not make a noticeable difference in the safety of Wharton students.
“I do not feel any safer with Fortify because even if we have this website, it does not lessen our chances of getting hurt,” Kylie Thompson, a sophomore, said.