Outstanding Program Support Award highlights district’s leadership in school safety and community collaboration
ORLANDO, FL — Brevard Public Schools (BPS) was recognized with two distinguished honors at the 2025 Crimeline Annual Awards & Recognition Meeting. The district received the Outstanding Program Support Award from the SpeakOut Hotline program and was recognized among top law enforcement and community partners for its exceptional commitment to student safety, anonymous reporting, and community trust.
The SpeakOut Outstanding Program Support Award celebrates Brevard Public Schools’ leadership in implementing and promoting the SpeakOut Hotline across campuses. The program gives students a safe, anonymous way to report concerns ranging from threats and bullying to mental health crises — ensuring early intervention and rapid response by school resource officers (SROs) and administrators.
During the ceremony, Crimeline Executive Director Barb Bergin commended Brevard Public Schools for being a consistent leader in tip submissions and follow-through on investigations:
“Brevard County continues to lead our service area in the number of tips received. This is due to the commitment they’ve made to ensure all students know how to use the anonymous tip line. Their SROs provide outstanding follow-up and feedback on every case, and their commitment to visibility — from banners and signage to SpeakOut lanyards — keeps safety front and center for students.”
Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell accepted the award on behalf of the district, emphasizing the importance of partnership and relationships in keeping schools safe:
“Families want to know that when they send their children to school, they’ll come home safely at the end of the day. Programs like SpeakOut and Crimeline add an important layer of protection for our students and staff. Safety in our schools depends on partnerships — and those partnerships only thrive through strong relationships between law enforcement, educators, and our community.”
Brevard Public Schools’ strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and school resource officers has been instrumental in ensuring timely responses to tips and building trust with students. The district’s proactive approach — distributing SpeakOut-branded materials and incorporating the program into student life — has made it one of the most effective in Central Florida.
The 2025 Crimeline Annual Awards recognized outstanding partners in law enforcement, media, and education for their continued dedication to community safety. Other honorees included AdventHealth Corporate Care, Fox 35 News, and Real Radio 104.1’s Monsters in the Morning.
About SpeakOut Hotline
Founded in 1995 following a tragic school shooting, the SpeakOut Hotline was created to provide students across Central Florida with a safe, anonymous way to report potential violence, mental health concerns, or criminal activity. Operated in partnership with Crimeline, SpeakOut serves six counties — empowering youth to speak up, protect their peers, and promote a culture of safety.