Marion County Sheriff's Office

Marion Sheriff’s Office Investigates Alleged School Threat

Officers from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office acted quickly after receiving a tip of a “possible threat of violence” at a Marion County High School on Tuesday. The tip was received via the Marion County Sheriff’s Office tip411 app shortly after 11 PM Tuesday night.

Using the information from the submitted tip, deputies investigated the claim and determined that no threat against the schools existed. The school administrators were involved throughout the process, being notified of the tip when it was received and were later notified when the investigation concluded.

“The purpose of the partnership with the schools and the tip411 app was done in an effort to help school administrators and law enforcement provide a safe environment for our students in Marion County schools,” Sheriff Bailey stated. “Our students can be the eyes and ears and assist us in keeping a safe learning environment. They can do so without fear of retaliation by using the app, which allows them to provide us with information anonymously.”

“tip411” is an app designed to be utilized by students to provide information to school administrators and law enforcement about threats and offenses such as bullying, violent threats, drug use, suspicious activity, and other such acts. Providers of tips can remain 100% anonymous when sending a tip while conversing with officials.

Read the story from WMFD.com

Following overnight shootings, city leaders, law enforcement announce plan to curb downtown violence

Minneapolis city and law enforcement leaders announced plans on Monday to add more police officers and expand the city’s youth intervention program, in an effort to reach the relatively small percentage of young people they say are responsible for the majority of the violence.

The announcement came a few hours after a pair of early-morning shootings Monday in the downtown Minneapolis Warehouse District that police say left six people wounded.

The shootings occurred between about 1:13 and 1:30 a.m., police said.

“Gun violence anywhere in this city is unacceptable and I am sick of it,” Mayor Betsy Hodges said at an afternoon news conference at First Precinct headquarters downtown. She said that if passed, her 2017 budget would increase the department’s authorized strength by 15 officers next year…

… “Investigators believe that both shootings are gang-related,” Michal said. “Officers continue to look at footage from cameras in the area to try to determine who else is involved. They will also be canvassing in the area in the coming days talking with business owners.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to text their tip in to 847411 (TIP411). Enter MPD, a space, and then the information. These text messages are assigned a tip number and the police department has no way of identifying the source of the information. All texts are anonymous. People may also call the MPD TIP Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477).

Read the full story from the Star Tribune.

tip411 Leads to Arrest in Hillsborough County, FL

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office website:

On April 6, 2016 at approximately 7:07 p.m., Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies received information via tip411 in reference to a suspect selling narcotics at 7023 Himes Avenue North. The comments also stated the suspect was concealing the narcotics in a bleach bottle.

Deputies observed the suspect retrieve a small bleach bottle and remove a plastic bag containing marijuana. Deputies took the suspect into custody. Deputies also recovered the bleach bottle that had eleven bags of marijuana and two bags of cocaine. The suspect was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance (Cocaine), Possession of Cannabis Less than 20 grams, Possession of Controlled Substance (Cocaine) within 1000ft of a Business Transportation of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Control Substance (Cannabis) w/ intent to Sell, Possession of Control Substance (Cocaine) w/ intent to Sell and Tampering/Fabricating with Physical Evidence.

The investigation continues.

Visit the HCSO website to learn more.