Anonymous tip texting app
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Rockland law enforcement unveils anonymous tip texting app

Anyone who witnesses a crime or can provide information on wrongdoing can use a free anonymous cell phone application to text police.

The county’s social media-based tip411 application was unveiled Tuesday by the Rockland District Attorney’s Office and local police. The system has been used in Westchester County, as well as across the state and nation.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSYSwYWPjB0&w=560&h=315]

While police still want emergency calls to go to 911, tip411 is geared toward texting tips and video and could overcome fears of witness intimidation, authorities said during a news conference at the District Attorney’s Office in the Rockland Courthouse.

The application also allows for receiving police alerts and social media channels.

“Giving the public the ability to anonymously communicate with police will allow people to provide key information without fear of reprisal,” District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said. “Tip411 will also help to alleviate a lack of witness cooperation, which has hampered the investigative process in many criminal cases.”

The targeted audience is especially young people, who are rarely without their cell phones.

“Tell a young person to make a phone call and they don’t want to,” Zugibe said. “Tell them to send a text message, no problem.”

The “RocklandCo DA app” can be downloaded free from Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or by visiting the District Attorney’s Office website at www.rocklandgov.com.

Police said the system enables people to send anonymous tips about crime, drugs, bullying and suspicious activity to their local police department with officers able to respond, creating a two-way chat.

Three ways to send tips:

  • Send anonymous text tips to 847411 – tip411- then type keyword “rocklandcoda” add a space, type your tip info and hit send.
  • An anonymous tip can be sent through the free RocklandCo DA Smartphone app for iPhone and Android or tablet.
  • Use the anonymous web tip form at the District Attorney’s Office at www.rocklandgov.com.
“This does not replace 911 for crimes in progress,” Zugibe said, adding the tips are an investigative tool for police to solve crimes. “The tips are 100 percent anonymous.”

Police said the tip system has been used in Westchester County for nearly six years and has helped solve “cold cases.”

The system costs $17,000 for 24 months. The cost is paid through funds seized from criminal enterprises, District Attorney’s Office Capt. Brendan Donohue said.

All tips will be investigated just as if a person called in on the telephone or walked into a police station, authorities said, referring to people submitting false information.

Zugibe also said the information is not prosecution testimony.

“This is not a substitute to testimony,”  he said. “This will be a valuable investigative tool.”

Read the full story from Lohud.

tip411 help fight crime
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FMPD launches new crime-fighting app

The Fort Myers Police Department launches “tip411,” a crime-fighting tool for Southwest Florida residents.

“Tip411” is a app that allows residents to submit tips with their smartphones or through the website FMPD’s website.

“The new tip411 is an anonymous tip line designed to allow the public to report non-emergency criminal activity directly to the Fort Myers Police Department,” said Lt. William Musante of FMPD Support Operations.

Residents who use the system will be issued a randomly generated access code called, Tipster ID. Deputies are able to correspond with residents without seeing their personal information.

According to FMPD the new app, the website and the system are not meant to take the place of an emergency call to 911.

“It’s our duty to work to reduce crime and contribute to the safety of all in our community,” said Chief Derrick Diggs of the Fort Myers Police Department. “We do this through collaboration with our residents, and believe tip411 will us better engage community members of all ages and backgrounds to make Fort Myers a safer and more welcoming place for all.”

Read the full story from Fox4

Methuen Police Arrest Fugitive
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Methuen Police Arrest Fugitive After 16 Years on the Run Using Tip From Smartphone App

Police on Friday arrested a Methuen man who had been on the run for 16 years.

Eric Rivera-Velez, 39, of Methuen was charged with five active warrants from Massachusetts and New Hampshire for allegations including trafficking 18 kilograms or more of cocaine near a school or park, being a fugitive from justice, and conspiracy to sell a narcotic drug,

Detectives from the Methuen Police Department began an investigation on Jan. 10 after a tip was submitted from their tip411 app about the possible distribution of narcotics at a Methuen residence. On Jan. 12, police spotted Rivera-Velez on Brook Street. He was recognized as one of the people living in the residence from the tip earlier that week, and as a man who had several outstanding warrants.

Rivera-Velez was detained until his identify was verified. He had several outstanding warrants for narcotics offenses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“A job well done,” said Mayor James Jajuga. “Excellent police work and investigation. I look forward to working more with all of you during my time as mayor. With this arrest, we are off to a great start to 2018.”

Police discovered that Rivera-Velez had several fake names, altered fingerprints, and was listed on Rockingham County’s Most Wanted list in New Hampshire. He’d been wanted by police since 2002.

“A case closed for Rockingham County and a great arrest by detectives,” Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said. “This arrest goes to show the power of communication with the police, anonymous or otherwise.”

Read the full story from the Eagle-Tribune

tip411 helps police in harrison
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tip411 Helps Police in Harrison, Ohio Catch Suspect Wanted on Multiple Charges

The following is an alert Harrison, Ohio Police sent to their community using tip411 on January 9, 2018:

This morning at 1127am, the Harrison Police Department apprehended a suspect in four cases of B&E, vandalism, tampering with coin machines and theft. Thanks in large part to the community and the tips we received through social media and TIP411.

A HUGE thank you for your assistance in the solving of the K-Mart and Goodwill break-ins as well as the offenses which occurred at Sandarella’s and Village Laundromats. We couldn’t have done it without the cooperation of this wonderful community!!!

See the full alert here.

New 'Tip" App
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New ‘Tip’ App Leads To Marijuana Charge For Teen in Hamden, Connecticut

A tip received on Hamden’s new crime-fighting app led to the seizure of nearly 8 grams of marijuana and an infraction for a 17-year-old resident, according to police. At about 11:45 p.m. on Jan. 5, Hamden Police received a tip on the “Tip411” alert system, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said the tipster reported that a suspicious motor vehicle was parked near a dumpster in the Chestnut Hill South parking lot. It was further reported that the occupant was engaging in “drug activity,” according to Smith.

Moments later, Officers Christina Giori and Devin Eaton located the vehicle in the parking lot. Smith said investigation led to the seizure of 7.86 grams of marijuana. The operator of the vehicle, a 17-year-old Hamden resident, was issued an infraction for possession of marijuana.

“Hamden Police would like to remind residents that ‘Tip 411’ is a free app that can be downloaded to a smartphone or computer,” Smith wrote in a press release. “Residents can share crime tips, report suspicious activity and aid family members in reporting domestic violence, drug abuse and bullying. Tips received by the Hamden Police Department remain anonymous.”

Read the story from the Hamden Patch