Sandy Hook Promise Stuns Again with Chilling Video on Gun Violence in Schools

Sandy Hook Promise Stuns Again with Chilling Video on Gun Violence in Schools

The video promotes the organization's anonymous reporting system.

Sandy Hook Promise has stunned viewers again with a chilling video created to promote their anonymous reporting app for smartphones. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) looks to peacefully combat gun violence in schools across the country, including accelerated rollout in four of the most at-risk states.

The public service ad, "The Other Side," was produced by BBDO New York and depicts a teen boy in his bedroom. He is talking about how people think a school shooting "can never happen here, but those same people are the ones who saw the signs and never said anything."

He talks about the signs of potential gun violence: being bullied, obsession with guns, and posting on social media about "shooting up the school." As the camera pulls back, revealing what the teen was busying his hands with in the closer shots, you can see an arsenal of weapons on his bed.

He locks and loads a magazine into an assault rifle and states, "I'm sure tomorrow somebody will wish they had said something," as he hoists the gun up.

The video ends with a photo of the Say Something app on a mobile phone, "Learn the signs. Say something."

SS-ARS allows students to submit secure and anonymous safety concerns to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals before they hurt themselves or others. Concerned students submit a tip using the SS-ARS app or website and/or call the 24/7 crisis center, which then triages the tip and dispositions it back into a participating school districts and, as needed, to law enforcement.

The organization has quite the reputation for putting out chilling PSAs. Just a few months ago, they released the video "Tomorrow's News" about a news broadcast about "tomorrow's shooting, where a 15-year-old will kill four children, two adults and then turn the gun on himself." The video shows the repetition of these violent incidents on school campuses.

Last year, Sandy Hook Promise released a video titled "Evan" which distracted viewers with one man's love story while showing the signs of violence in a background teen.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.