According the Pew Internet Life project, more than 30 million Americans are using text messages to communicate. And now, in over 100 cities and towns all over the country, you can use text messaging to help fight crime in your community. Many police departments are now allowing citizens to report crime tips anonymously via text messages. Police are hoping to engage more teens and 20-somethings who might not normally contact authorities, and get them involved in crime prevention and reporting.
In Washington, D.C. for instance, this service allows the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to receive anonymous tips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Police then review tips and pass them along to the proper department. This system allows for individuals who would otherwise be intimidated by speaking with police to report information about a crime without giving up their identity. Police in Boston, Mass. using a similar program report they have received nearly as many tips by SMS as they have by phone over the last year.
The D.C. MPD does remind citizens however, that this is not an emergency service. If you are witnessing a crime in progress or police emergency, you should still call 9-1-1. Check with your local police department to see if a text message crime tip program exists in your community.
3 Comments on "Text Your Crime Tips To Police"
B. HARMON
WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHO I NEED TO CONTACT “AS SOON AS POSSIBLE” REGARDING A SCAM AND CON ON A ONLINE DATING SERVICE. THERE IS A MAN WHO IS FROM GHANA ON THE ON LINE DATING SERVICE WHO SCAMMED ME OUT OF MONEY AND TRIED TO CON ME OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND HE IS STILL ON THE ON LINE DATING SITE AND PROBABLY CONNING WOMEN OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND HE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED. WOULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE PROPER AUTHORITIES I CAN CONTACT “AS SOON AS POSSIBLE” SO THAT THIS MAN CAN BE STOPPED AND PROSECUTED BY THE LAW. PLEASE SEND THE INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I DON’T WANT WOMEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF LIKE I WAS. I AM AN AMW MEMBER. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH
Marsha Hott
Report it to the Social Security Administration at 800-269-0271 or view the webside of the Federal Trade Commission for their reporting mechanism.
Rafael Cruz
I am looking for information on aquiring the service for our police department. Does anyone know who I can contact to get this started for our department.
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