Jones County Schools Need STOPit—Help Protect Our Kids
Our community has lost too many students to drugs, bullying, mental health crises, and suicide. Most recently, a child's life was taken in a tragedy that started with substance use on school grounds.
Too many students are suffering in silence because they don't know where to turn or are afraid to speak up. They need a safe way to report concerns—about themselves or their peers—without fear.
I started a petition asking Jones County School District to implement STOPit, an anonymous reporting app already used in nearby districts like Hattiesburg Public Schools. Students can scan QR codes around campus and report bullying, mental health concerns, drug use, threats, or safety issues with complete anonymity. Research shows schools using these programs see real reductions in bullying and more students reporting mental health crises *before* they become emergencies.
This isn't about getting kids in trouble. It's about getting them help.
If this resonates with you—if you've watched a young person struggle or felt that same fear about speaking up—consider signing and sharing this petition. These kids deserve a way to be heard. What would you want someone to do if this was your family?