He had planned a shooting at the school the next day, police said. However, a student, who was working a photo processing store, noted the bizarre photos and contacted the police. In each of these cases, courageous students came forward to break the code of silence that often exists in school settings. Fearful of being a snitch, or perceived as a tattletale, students today are coming forward to report suspicious things. The change in attitude is due to media coverage of events like Columbine.
Students are more aware that the possibility for carnage exists on any school campus.
Also significant is the presence of efforts by schools to encourage students to report suspicious activity. Posters, brochures, hotlines, confidential counseling, and even rewards are all contributing to safer schools. The reality is that fellow students are the best sources to tap for averting tragedies like Columbine. Psychologists for the Secret Service s Safe School Initiative report that in 37 school shootings since 1974, at least 75 percent of the assailants told fellow students of their plans before the shootings occurred. Encouraging students who have relevant information to come forward and tell school and police officials is a difficult task.