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Kids can communicate via the new Tiger Line

Morning Journal/Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert Wellsville Chief Eddie Wilson displays a poster promoting the Tiger Line, a tip line established specifically to encourage youngsters to notify police about issues that concern them. The police department is partnering with the school district to make sure children are properly fed during the summer months.

WELLSVILLE — Sometimes, the smallest mouths have the most to say, and through a program established by the village school district and police department, youngsters now have a way to communicate what they know.

The “Tiger Line” is a special telephone line established specifically for young people to provide information about issues that disturb them or which could be dangerous or even life-threatening.

By calling, texting, or sending photos to 330-610-5111, young callers can anonymously let police officers know, for example, about other kids they have seen or heard of with guns or other weapons, if they have heard of someone talking about or threatening suicide, if they know or suspect someone is being bullied, being abused in any way or know someone who is hungry or cold.

“Kids have a lot of information. Sometimes, they’re afraid to tell. So this way, they can call, text or send a photo. We’ve had five tips so far,” Lt. Marsha Eisenhart said of the Tiger Line.

The phone line is being paid for by police officers out of their own money and donations, not taxpayers’ dollars, Eisenhart emphasized saying that Councilman Bill Taft also contributed generously to the program.

She said that, while adults could use the line with tips, it is hoped they will use the actual police line at 330-532-1522, leaving the Tiger Line for children. All information shared by the children is kept anonymous and confidential.

Part of the program will include the police department and school district teaming up to provide food for children this summer, with Eisenhart saying that is one of the issues they hope to focus on if tips are received about children being hungry.

“When school is out, we get nervous,” she admitted. “The school provides a lot of food for the kids.”

She said that, for many children, the food they are served for breakfast and lunch during the school year is all they get for the day, so when school is out for the summer, the concern is whether they are eating properly.

To combat that concern, three sites will be established in town where children will be able to help themselves to convenient food, those that can be eaten as-is or microwaved at home.

Sites are currently being considered for uptown, downtown and midtown, possibly outside the police station, Eisenhart said.

She said the school district will provide the food for each of the sites.

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