A south-central Kentucky police department is trying to make schools safer by using a technology that many students are already familiar with: texting.

The Somerset Police Department told the Commonwealth Journal that it implemented the new "See-Hear-Report" program on Monday.

Lt. Shannon Smith said the system allows students and others to have "a direct line to Somerset Police." He said concerns about safety can be sent anonymously to officers by way of texting or through the Internet.

He noted that many high school students take cellphones to school.