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Avon Police Department Launches New tip411 Anonymous Tip System for Customized Crime-Fighting

Chief Jeffrey Bukunt is pleased to announce that the Avon Police Department is increasing its crime-fighting arsenal with a new app to help residents connect with the department to find information, view alerts and submit anonymous tips from their smartphone.

Developed by tip411, the Avon Police app puts a powerful new crime-fighting tool into the hands of community members of all ages. The app is available for download for free via the Google Play Store, iTunes App Store or on the APD website here.

“Our ability to solve crimes and create a safer town has a lot to do with the involvement of our citizens,” Chief Bukunt said. “This department is embracing new technologies that will allow us to open up a two-way line of communication, and tip411 will enable citizens to anonymously provide us information that will assist us in the solving of crimes and create a safer community.”

The new Avon Police app enables the public to share an anonymous tip with police and lets officers respond back to create an anonymous two-way conversation.

“We’ve listened to feedback from partners like Avon Police and have built a more advanced and innovative product to help departments better engage their communities,” said tip411 President Terry Halsch. “The Avon PD app, powered by tip411, will greatly improve the public’s access to agency alerts, social media channels, important information and more to help fight crime.”

The Avon Police app and tip411 anonymous text-a-tip system are 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before police see the tips. There is no way to identify the sender.

Those without a smartphone can share information with police by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone to police by texting keyword TIPAVONPD and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted via the department’s website here.

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Tips From Asheville PD App Help Police Make Arrest

One person has been arrested and charged after Asheville Police received anonymous tips via their Asheville PD mobile app, developed by tip411, about drug activity on Hanover Street.

Officials say officers with the Asheville Police Department recovered drugs and cash with the help of APD K9, Boss.

Robert Charles Banks, Jr. was arrested after an investigation into multiple tips submitted via the Asheville PD app about drug activity on Hanover Street. During the arrest, authorities say Banks ran from officers and threw several items as he ran. After he was safely arrested, police say K9 Boss retraced Banks’ path and located 57 grams of Methamphetamine and $2700.

Read the full story from ABC13 News

The mobile app is available for free download via the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store by searching  “AshevillePD”.

Individuals without a smartphone can share information with police by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone by texting keyword TIP2APD and their message/tip to 847411. 

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Osseo Police launch new mobile app powered by tip411

The Osseo, MN Police Department is increasing its crime-fighting arsenal with the Osseo PD mobile app, developed by tip411, that puts a powerful new tool into the hands of community members of all ages to help residents connect with the department.

The Osseo PD app allows the public to submit anonymous tips by sending a secure message through an app, text or online. The public can also receive news and alerts from the Osseo Police Department about current events or information, and view an interactive crime map. With recent civil unrest in the area, the department is encouraging people to use the free Osseo PD app.

“So Tip411 is a public outreach app that is going to allow people or allow us to reach out to the public,” Osseo officer Tony Mortinson said. “We can post anything from public alerts. Let’s say we have a burglary case and we want to make sure the public knows about it. We put that information out there.”

He added that Tip411 would let people be able to give the police department any tips or leads on that case by replying to an alert.

“People can also submit tips via the app directly to us for any rhyme or reason,” Mortinson said.

Mortinson said once a tip is submitted, the officer on duty will respond. “We can actually open up a conversation between the officer and the citizen,” he said. “Anyone responding from the Osseo Tip411 is an Osseo police officer.”

Chief Shane Mikkelson said if people see an emergency or crime happening, they should call 911, but the app is still available. “The nice part of the crime mapping is when you click on whatever crime is it, you can submit a tip that way too on the crime map itself,” he said.

People will be able to set a date time frame and choose which crimes they would like to be informed about. Sensitive incidents, like domestic assaults or medical calls, are not part of the crime mapping.

He added, “Tip411 is another different way to report something, especially if you want to remain anonymous. Or if it’s something so sensitive, like maybe it’s not occurring now but you saw it or heard about it, we can at least look at these things.”

There is a crime mapping section as part of Tip411. This allows residents to see what crimes have been occurring in the area. “The biggest benefit for us, I think, is the ability for people to let us know about the crime that’s happening,” Mortinson said. “It allows people to give us information on cases that we are currently investigating.”

Mikkelson said the Tip411 app will also allow the department to use all of its social media platforms through the app.

“It connects to our Facebook page. It connects to our Twitter page,” he said. “It will share the first part of the alert. Let’s just say, worst-case scenario, there is a school shooting. We could get onto Tip411 and send it out telling everyone to stay in your home. You would get the alert on your phone if you had it downloaded.”

Mortinson said the app is a great way to get information out to the public quickly as possible and create.

“People should really have this on their phone, whether they live, work or play here,” Mikkelson added. “For us, the app is a two-way street. We are trying to implement things that involve our community. It’s just a great way to engage with our community. And they can stay on top of what’s going on in their block, their area, by looking at crime mapping.”

Read the full story from HometownSource.com

More agencies that have recently launched tip411

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San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office launches mobile app to submit tips

The San Joaquin County, CA Sheriff’s Office is increasing its crime-fighting arsenal with the SanJoaquinCo Sheriff mobile app, developed by tip411, that puts a powerful new tool into the hands of community members of all ages to help residents connect with the agency.

Residents can use the app to send in anonymous tips to the agency. 

“Everything is 100% anonymous. You can send anonymous tips to the police about crimes, drugs, bullying, suspicious activity and more,” said Jennifer Kline, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office. 

Kline says it’s another way for law enforcement to get information from the public. 

“People may sometimes be afraid to call the police with information, but when using Tip 411, the system removes your name, your phone number, your address,” Kline explained. “It just gives us a tip, and that access to talk to you back and forth.”

After downloading the app, users can send information to the sheriff’s office by texting “SJSOTIP” before whatever information is being sent to the number 847411.

Every tip gets sent to dispatchers who then forward that information to deputies on patrol. 

“We embrace new technology because it helps our detectives, it helps our officers, and it helps the community,” Kline said. 

Kline says while the sheriff’s office encourages people to use the app, it does not replace 911. 

“This is another branch to help fight crime,” Kline said. “But, if you have an emergency, please call 911,” Kline said. 

Read the full story from FOX40.com

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Rice County offers new app with emergency and tip lines

Tip411 is a safe and anonymous way to alert law enforcement of potentially harmful or suspicious activity.

Tip411 allows for an anonymous two-way line of communication, which will enable citizens to anonymously provide information that could help individuals in trouble, assist in solving crimes, and help create a safer community. You can even attach photographs and videos. You can provide information in any language.

To download the free RiceCo Tips app in your app store, follow these links:

For iPhone: bit.ly/RiceTipApple

For Android bit.ly/RiceTipAndroid

Don’t have the app? You can send a text to 847411. Begin the message with the letters RICECO and then write your message. You can also submit a tip from your computer with this form: bit.ly/RiceTipOnline

The information you provided goes to local law enforcement after your message is stripped of identifying information. There is no way for anyone to know it was you who reached out for help. Tip411 is monitored 24/7, but it is NOT a replacement for 911. For situations that require immediate assistance, always call 911.

Also included in this app are links to other life-saving resources, such as local naloxone availability.

Read the full story from Fairbault Daily News