app – Page 27

August 28, 2017May 17, 2018 admin In The News

Police make arrest in hate graffiti with help from tip411

City police say they’ve arrested a city man in connection with a series of Neo-Nazi inspired hate graffiti incidents in the city and in neighboring Valley.

George F. Rissell, 24, was taken into custody after police received an anonymous tip via a smart phone app, combined with images from various surveillance cameras near where the incidents took place. With that information, police were able to zero in on the suspect’s vehicle and his identity.

The accused was arrested and charged with multiple counts of ethnic intimidation and criminal mischief, and arraigned before Magistrate Gill at 2140 hours. The accused was remanded to Chester County Prison in lieu of $150,000.00 cash bail.

Police said that Rissell has claimed past association with with supremacy and hate groups.

Various locations — including a car — were vandalized with hate messages and various White Supremacist/Neo-Nazi codes late Tuesday night, bringing widespread condemnation.

Read the full story in The Times of Chester County.

August 25, 2017May 17, 2018 admin In The News

New app encourages people to anonymously report crime

For Hamden Police, it is another step in helping to bridge the gap between police officers and the communities they protect. A new smartphone app called tip411 lets smartphone users submit crime tips anonymously.

“Often I’ll be in meetings and hear people say like I did yesterday, well, I didn’t want to bother the police. I heard from somebody else well, I want to be anonymous and I didn’t want to get involved so to speak,” said Hamden Chief of Police Thomas Wydra.

Wydra said the goal of the department is to connect with everyone in the town but realizes certain groups of people are hesitant to engage. Officers believe the app will encourage people to alert them of suspicious activity.

“We wanna reach people who ordinarily might not be willing to engage with us for a variety of reasons. That includes kids, people whose immigration status may be in jeopardy or some other process they don’t want to engage the local police. This is another way for them to reach us,” said Wydra.

Read the full story and see the video from News 8 – WTNH.

August 11, 2017May 17, 2018 admin In The News

New ‘tip411’ app to let the public help Hamden police anonymously

A new smartphone app will let town residents be part of the police force, allowing allow anyone who downloads it to send anonymous tips and get alerts about crime in the community.

The Legislative Council this week approved funds for the police department to purchase the app.

“We know people are scared or intimidated,” Police Chief Thomas Wydra said. “This is the perfect tool to overcome that fear. It’s a way to encourage people to engage with us.”

The app, called tip411, lets a user submit crime tips anonymously, which alleviates a fear some have of getting involved with police. A user also can include photos or video.

Another feature allows the department to send out alerts to the community about crimes in the area. The alerts can be categorized by type of crime and can be directed at particular communities and neighborhoods. Through the app, a person with information can also add a tip to a specific alert.

“We want to connect with everybody, but certain groups are timid,” Wydra said. He said he is thinking specifically about schoolchildren and people with questionable immigration status who may have a heightened fear of interacting with police. “The app reaches them,” he said.

Read the full story in the New Haven Register

June 26, 2017May 17, 2018 admin In The News

Police turning to technology to increase connection with people they serve

The Pelham Police Department is turning to an innovative new app to connect with people, and the department believes it’s the first in the area to use it.

“The app just takes our community policing to the next level,” said Sgt. Brian Barbato of the Pelham Police Department.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgVeBt9n7X0?ecver=2]

The Pelham PD app launched earlier this month. Designed by the Citizen Observer Program, it sends instant alerts to users on emergencies, road closures and press releases.

“People have loved it so far. We’ve got a lot of positive feedback from it. People love the interaction with the police department. They love to know what’s going on in their community,” said Barbato.

It also allows people to sends tips directly to the police dispatcher.

“And you can have a back and forth conversation with that dispatcher and then he or she can relay that information to the officers working the road,” said Barbato.

“These tips that can come in through the app are completely anonymous. We don’t have any IP addresses attached to it,” added Lt. Anne Perriello of Pelham police.

Watch or read the full report from WMUR9 TV

June 5, 2017May 17, 2018 admin In The News

Education Matters: No room for bullying in schools

…An important part of responding to bullying is to know when it is happening. Teachers and administrators are trained in the ‘4 A Response’, through PBIS, how to Affirm a student giving a report, Ask the right questions, Assess the report or threat, and Act on the information appropriately.

Students are provided ways to report bullying, including telling a trusted adult, using a paper method in the front office, or by using the Tip411 text or email app. While all students are encouraged to talk candidly with counselors, teachers, administrators, coaches or other adults they trust, many opt for more anonymous methods like Tip411.

The app is offered in partnership with Napa and American Canyon police departments and the Napa County Sheriff, and allows students to anonymously report bullying, suicide threats, crimes or other situations to school administrators and law enforcement, who can move quickly to investigate any unsafe incidents.

And, of course, we encourage parents to be vigilant for signs of bullying or bullying behavior, and to report concerns to a teacher and principal…

Read the full post from the Napa Valley Unified School District in the Napa Valley Register