Swamped in tips, Iowa Safe and Sound sees rise in online threats [Video]

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Safe + Sound app, a tool to protect students and staff in our schools, has already made a significant impact on our community’s safety. 

The app tries to empower students, teachers and community members to report anyone they believe could pose a threat to themselves and their schools.

So far this year, the Safe and Sound app tells Local 5 they have had 78 tips. 

42 of them happened just in the last week. 

Local 5 reached out to Iowa Safe and Sound for an on-camera interview, but due to a high volume of tips and work, they were unable to step away. 

They did provide us with the following information: A majority of the school threat reporting the team has seen this year has been determined as hoax threats, originating and amplified on social media, with the …