Jared Mills screen shot
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“It’s been pretty successful so far in the short period of time that we’ve had it…”

The Augusta Police Department is using new technology that they hope will keep the community safer and more aware.

The Augusta Police Department recently launched a new app.

“Basically what it is it’s an anonymous way for people to communicate with us,” said Augusta Police Chief, Jared Mills. “They download the app for free and they can provide us with information and at the same time we can push information out to them.”

The app, Augusta PD, allows users to send in tips completely anonymously.

They tell us that tips have already led to a number of crimes being solved.

“It’s been pretty successful so far in the short period of time that we’ve had it,” said Mills. “And at the same time, we’ve gotten information on drug deals, car accidents, you name it, things that have come to our attention or happened in the city through this app. So it’s been working very well for us.”

Staff Sgt. Christian Behr is the one who found the company to help create the app.

He says that being able to communicate with people anonymously adds another aspect to the police work they do.

Full story from WABI5

Onodaga county tip411 app
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tip411 App in Onondaga County Busts Marijuana Growing Operation

An 80-year-old woman and her son were charged with growing marijuana in Clay.

According to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Rosemary Mezzatesta, 80, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the third degree and unlawfully growing cannabis after a concerned community member notified deputies using the Tip411 app.

Mezzatesta’s son, 51-year-old Albert Merola was also charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the third degree, unlawfully growing cannabis and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Both were issued appearance tickets.

Read the full story from CNYCentral.com

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Cincinnati Police Debut New App

Police have a new free app available to let them alert residents to crimes and other situations, and for residents to send in tips.

The Cincinnati Police Department’s app (Cincinnati PD) is available now from Apple’s app store and the Google Play store. 

The app provides residents with neighborhood-specific crime alerts created by detectives and officers in the field, Police Chief Eliot Isaac said. Police can also use the app to send alerts about other situations like floods and road closures, he said.

Residents can also use the app to submit anonymous tips to police, including photos and videos, Isaac said. After making a tip, residents will be able to communicate anonymously with police.

“We have a new generation of adults, and they use more social media than ever before, so … we’re getting more information that way,”Isaac said. “And I think as we continue to work on building great relationships, that’s the opportunity to get more information coming in as well.”

Atlantic city tip411 anonymous tip
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Tip leads to Atlantic City heroin, cocaine arrest, cops say

A city man was arrested Wednesday after officers followed an anonymous tip and found him in possession of 285 bags of heroin and five grams of cocaine, police said.

Farod Chapman, 22, was arrested with 35 bags of heroin and 5 grams of cocaine just after 1 p.m. by Special Investigation Section detectives, police said in a statement.

Detectives recovered 250 more bags of heroin in a search of Chapman’s vehicle after Detective Brian Hambrecht’s K-9 partner Nikki, a narcotic detection dog, indicated the presence of drugs.

Chapman is charged with two counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.

He was released on a summons with a future court date.

Sgt. Richard Andrews and Detective Nick Berardis led the investigation. Detectives received information about Chapman distributing narcotics from tip411, an anonymous text service provider.

Tips can be shared with the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section to by texting tip411 (847411) or calling 609-347-5858. All texts are anonymous.

Read the full story from the Press of Atlantic City and see the tip411 Alert ACPD sent to residents announcing the arrest.