Local schools may become more safe through communication.

Both Meridian and Lauderdale County public schools are implementing AnComm's "Talk About It". It's an anonymous online messaging service that can be used with any computer, PDA, cell phone or wireless device.

Students may use it to report threats, personal problems and the like. The idea is that a responsible adult could intervene and safely resolve issues before tragedy happens.

Training for the new online system started Friday at Magnolia Middle School in Meridian.

This program is the nation's first online emergency alert system for schools.

Each student is provided a free, private account where he or she can anonymously report problems or concerns at their school.

"It's just a safety feature. So children can feel safe in reporting an incident, such as cheating or drugs or anything, a fight that they may have heard about," said school counselor, Hayley Shirley. "So that they can get help from someone on the faculty without having to be known."

The "Talk About It" system also has a feature where parents can be alerted in case of an emergency.

"Talk About It" is being made available to students in the sixth through twelfth grades at Meridian Public Schools.