TDOSHS, Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools Launch Bilingual SafeTN Campaign

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) and the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools have partnered to produce and distribute bilingual public service announcements (PSAs) promoting the SafeTN app, a free and confidential tool to report a threat or suspicious activity available to all Tennesseans.

The campaign features both English- and Spanish-language videos that are now being shown throughout the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools system, helping ensure students, parents, faculty, and staff have access to important school safety information in their preferred language.

Both Greg Mays, Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, and Mario Vigil, Deputy Director of Special Programs, traveled to Memphis to record English- and Spanish-language public service announcements promoting the SafeTN app. The completed videos are now being shared throughout the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools system to help raise awareness of the confidential school safety reporting tool among students, families, faculty, and staff.

The initiative was coordinated through the ongoing partnership between the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security and the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools. Supervisory Special Agent Frank Sousoulas works closely with Max Howard, Associate Director of School Safety for the Diocese, to strengthen school safety programs and connect schools with valuable security resources.

During one of their regular meetings, Howard invited OHS leadership to participate in the PSA campaign to further educate students, families, and school personnel about the SafeTN app and its role in preventing violence and responding to potential threats.

"SafeTN provides a secure and confidential way for individuals to report concerns that may impact the safety of students and school communities," said Greg Mays, Deputy Commissioner of OHS. "By producing these messages in both English and Spanish and sharing them throughout the school system, we can reach more families and increase awareness of this important resource.

"The SafeTN app allows users to report potential threats, suspicious activity, bullying, and other school safety concerns directly to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Reports are monitored 24 hours a day and routed to the appropriate agencies for response and follow-up.

Through this collaboration, the TDOSHS and the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools are expanding awareness of SafeTN and demonstrating their shared commitment to creating safer learning environments for every student.