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tip411 Helps Parker County, TX Deputies Make Arrest of Serial Burglar

Tips submitted using a new app launched by the Parker County, TX Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a young man wanted for multiple vehicle burglaries in Aledo last month.

Deputies arrested Morgan Lee Fitzgerald, 17, of Aledo, on Wednesday, June 2 on charges of credit card/debit card abuse and a prior warrant for manufacturing delivery of a controlled substance.

His bond was set at $30,000.

Additional charges against Fitzgerald are pending.

Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier added a female suspect was also identified with charges pending the investigation.

Sheriff Authier said the suspects were identified through multiple tips which were submitted through the new Parker County Sheriff’s mobile app, developed by tip411. The sheriff’s office also used the mobile app to publish photographs of the suspects.

“Once we released the suspects’ photographs, we immediately began receiving numerous tips identifying the suspects,” said Sheriff Authier. “Our CID investigators located and arrested the male suspect within hours. The tips submitted also helped our investigators identify and locate the female suspect. We would like to thank the public for their assistance in this case.”

Sheriff Authier implemented tip411 last week, which has already generated dozens of tips regarding crimes within Parker County, the department said in a news release Thursday.

Citizens can download the free smartphone application for iPhone and Android, or click here to access and submit tips anonymously.

Citizens can also sign up through the tip411 App or website to receive emergency notifications and community alerts.

See the full story from CBSDFW.com

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Now You Can Text Tips to DWR Conservation Police

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is increasing its crime-fighting arsenal to help members of the public connect with the department submit anonymous tips via text message with the tip411 digital toolset.

“The Department of Wildlife Resources is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are leading wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature,” said DWR Executive Director Ryan Brown. “We believe tip411 will be a great tool to help members of the public contact us when they have information that can help protect Virginia’s natural resources.”

Residents in Virginia can share information with Conservation Police by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone to police by texting keyword “DWRTIP” and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411).  Anonymous web tips can also be submitted through the department’s website.

“tip411 will greatly improve the public’s ability to help fight crime and protect wildlife,” said tip411 President Terry Halsch. “We’ve listened to feedback from partners across the country and have continued to evolve our products to make sure they are working to better connect law enforcement with their communities to promote safety and protect natural resources.”

tip411’s text a tip system is 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before law enforcement see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender.

Learn more from the Virginia DWR

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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