Six Benefactors Donate $1,000 Each To Fund Morris County Sheriff's Office RSVP-3 Threat-Reporting App

Published on October 25, 2019

Six benefactors have contributed $1,000 apiece to the Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers program, with the funds earmarked to support the RSVP-3 threat-reporting app launched on October 10 by the Sheriff's Office and the Morris County Police Chiefs Association.

The free RSVP-3 app “ which stands for Responsible School Violence Prevention, Preparation, Protection “ is one component of a three-pronged RSVP-3 program to increase school safety and stop violence before it flares up in the classroom.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, center, with Officers and contributors to the Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers, with funds designated for the RSVP-3 threat-reporting app. Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, center, with Officers and contributors to the Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers, with funds designated for the RSVP-3 threat-reporting app.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon immediately began developing the RSVP-3 program with the Morris County Police Chiefs Association in response to the February 14, 2018, school shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

On the heels of a $16,500 contribution by Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers to create and activate the mobile app, six donors have stepped forward “ including CrimeStoppers Chairman John Sette “ to donate $1,000 apiece to keep the anonymous tip-reporting app active in the future.

On Friday, October 25, benefactors met with Sheriff Gannon, who thanked them for their generosity and gave them an overview of the RSVP-3 app which has already yielded multiple tips. Law enforcement professionals monitor tips to the app 24 hours a day.

The donors who met with Sheriff Gannon on Friday are: Joseph and Jeanne Goryeb, benefactors of Goryeb Children's Hospital, part of the Atlantic Health System; Patrick R. Delle Cava, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)Local 102 in Parsippany; Morris County Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo; Jersey First Founder Rosemary Becchi; and John Sette.

A sixth contributor, SB One Bank Senior Vice President Ryan Peene, previously contributed $1,000 to Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers for use in funding the app.

It's a wonderful cause and I fully support everything the Sheriff and CrimeStoppers is doing, Mrs. Becchi said.

Sheriff Gannon explained that the app was created for students to anonymously report troubling behavior or remarks that they believe poses a threat to school security. But anyone can use the app to report suspicious activity.

The Sheriff said he believes the app can ultimately be used by Morris County's 317 houses of worships and local businesses.

It makes us better protected, Sheriff Gannon told the donors. But we can't do it without you. Government can only do so much, but when like-minded people like you step up, that just makes Morris County the great place that it is. I always say ˜Morris County does it better.' It's about the public-private partnerships that we have.

The United States Secret Service has found that leakage has occurred in 81 percent of school shootings, meaning perpetrators have conveyed their plans in advance by dropping hints, talking specifically about an attack or posting their thoughts on social media.

The app is one element in the overall RSVP-3 initiative that brings together police, educators and mental health professionals in a multidisciplinary approach to stopping violence before it starts.

Besides the newly-launched app, RSVP-3 includes the use of behavioral threat assessment curriculum that school leaders, police and mental health professionals are being trained in to ensure they evaluate and respond to threats to school safety in a consistent, scientifically reliable way. The third component of RSVP-3 is frequent active shooter training by law enforcement agencies in Morris County.

The RSVP-3 app can be downloaded as follows:

  • Go to the Google Play Store or Apple iTunes Store on your mobile device.
  • Search for RSVP-3 Morris County, NJ.
  • Click Install.
  • Open the application.
  • Enter a unique 4-digit passcode that you will remember and use as a log-in.

Once the user has entered the passcode, do the following:

  • Select your location
  • Select the town
  • Select the affected school

To then report an incident or threat:

  • Select the action/tip you would like to report. There is a list.
  • You can add screenshots and attach documents.
  • Fill out tip report with all available information.
  • Click submit.
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