See something concerning online? Report it; don’t repost it. That’s the message behind Report, Don’t Repost: Choose Care Over Clicks, a new Southwest Washington initiative aimed at helping community members, families and students know what to do when they encounter threats or other concerning content online.
The grant-funded initiative was led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Educational Service District (ESD) 112, in partnership with the Vancouver Police Department, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) and Clark County public school districts.
Public safety and education leaders gathered at a press conference Tuesday, October 20, in Vancouver to announce the campaign and emphasize the importance of reporting online threats rather than reposting them.
As part of the initiative, ReportDontRepost.org was developed as a central resource explaining how to appropriately report online threats. The website also includes a toolkit with resources for school leaders, teachers, families, and community members to help share the Report, Don’t Repost message and make appropriate reporting easier to understand.
“Keeping our schools and our community safe takes all of us,” Clark County Sheriff John Horch said. “Law enforcement can’t do this alone. We need to work together with our schools, families, and our students. Young people are often the first to see or hear something concerning, and we want them to know that speaking up matters. When our community knows how to recognize a concern and where to report it, we are all better equipped to respond.”
Each year, school districts in Clark County receive dozens of reports of potential threats originating or circulating online. Whether a threat is ultimately determined to be credible or non-credible, each report must be taken seriously and assessed by school and public safety personnel.
Sharing or reposting an unverified threat can amplify rumors, spread fear and confusion, and make it more difficult for schools and public safety officials to communicate accurate information and respond effectively.
“This campaign is about helping students and families understand that they have an important role in keeping our schools safe,” said Aaron Hansen, Superintendent of Washougal School District. “In Washougal, we know that sharing unverified threats online creates fear, delays emergency responses, and can impact the district's investigation. If you see something concerning online, report it directly through official channels like HearMeWA, 311, or directly to a trusted school administrator or school staff member, so our teams can act immediately and coordinate with law enforcement.”
Community members should report online threats, references to weapons or violence, illegal or unsafe behavior, child exploitation or abuse, and bullying or harassment. The toolkit outlines where and how to report concerns, including HearMeWA, CyberTipLine, the FBI Electronic Tip Form, your local police department non-emergency line (311 in Clark County), and schools. If there is an immediate threat to life or property, call 911.
“This project grew out of a need we were seeing across our community,” said Andrew Hahn, Public Information Officer at CRESA. “People want to help when they encounter something concerning online, but they need clear information about what to do next. Report, Don’t Repost gives them that information in one accessible place.”
Learn more and access the toolkit at ReportDontRepost.org.
Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
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