SafeTampa anonymous tip public safety
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City of Tampa Encouraging Residents & Visitors to use “SafeTampa” App for Super Bowl LV

The City of Tampa, Tampa Police, and the Tampa Bay Public Safety Joint Information Center launched a new app and anonymous tip system to help residents and visitors to the bay area report suspicious activity and more during Super Bowl LV.

Developed by tip411, the SafeTampa app puts a powerful new tool into the hands of community members of all ages and is available for download for free via the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store.

“Working together, we can make the bay area safe for everyone,” said Chief Brian Dugan of the Tampa Bay Police Department. “If you see something, say something.”

The new SafeTampa app enables the public to share anonymous tips about suspicious activity, human trafficking, drug use/abuse, domestic violence, and more while allowing law enforcement to receive the information and respond back in real-time to create an anonymous two-way conversation.

“Our system has been used successfully by many agencies to combat crime, illegal drug use, human trafficking, and more,” said Terry Halsch, President of tip411.  “The City of Tampa is on the cutting edge of how technology can be used in high profile events like the Super Bowl to help gather important information and enhance public safety.”

The SafeTampa app and tip411 anonymous text a tip system are 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before officers see the tips and 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 SAFETAMPA and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted online at www.tampa.gov/police.

Cinnaminson Police Home Page
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Cinnaminson Police Now Have An App

Cinnaminson police? There’s an app for that. There’s also a new website for the first time in more than 15 years.

The Cinnaminson Police Department has launched a new app to help residents submit anonymous tips from their smartphone, the department announced on Wednesday. It will also allow officers to respond and create an anonymous two-way conversation.

The Cinnaminson PD App, developed by tip411, removes all identifying information before police see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender, police said.

It also helps residents find information and view alerts. It can be downloaded for free through Google Play, iTunes and through the Cinnaminson Police Department’s new website, which launches Thursday.

The new website will be found at www.cinnaminsonpolice.org. It is the first official webpage the police department has had in over 15 years, according to Cinnaminson Police Chief Richard Calabrese. Screen shots from the new website, provided for use by the police department, are attached to this post.

The app can be downloaded as of Wednesday, but all features will work effective Thursday, Calabrese said.

“Our goal is to keep our community safe for all who live, work, and visit Cinnaminson Township,” Calabrese said. “I believe the new Cinnaminson Township PD app from tip411 will help in those efforts by enhancing our ability to engage our community to help fight crime and support public safety.”

The app is completely paid for using civil forfeiture funds, police said.

“We’ve listened to feedback from partners like Cinnaminson Township Police and have built a more advanced and innovative product to help departments better engage their communities,” tip411 President Terry Halsch said. “The Cinnaminson 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.”

Residents in Cinnaminson Township without a smartphone can share information with police by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone to police by texting keyword CINNAMINSONPD and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted through the department’s website.

Police also remind residents that tip411 is not meant to be used for emergencies or even in the urgent need of police assistance. Residents should always call 911 if they have an emergency.

Read the full story from The Patch

Announcing Tip411 in Hancock County
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Mobile app allows anonymous tips of illegal substance use

Police departments across the state are battling staffing shortages, which has led many departments to find new and creative ways of getting information about illegal activity. 

In Hancock County, it’s becoming easier than ever to report crimes and now, you can report crimes without even dialing 911.

“Many people with their busy lives don’t want to take the time to provide information, or sometimes, they just don’t want to be known,” said Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Patrick Kane.

Now, residents of Hancock County have a new way of reporting crimes, particularly underage and illegal substance use, and they can all be made anonymously.

It’s part of the program TIP 411. Tips can be sent through a mobile app called HancockCO Sheriff that is available on the app store and google play. It can also be submitted online through the department’s Facebook page, or by sending a text to the number 847-411, with the keyword HCSO to start the message.

The main goal of this app is to prevent underage and illegal substance use. The program has been developed in partnership with Healthy Acadia, who shared a similar mission.

“Something in the community can do to reduce access to substance use,” said Healthy Acadia Community Health Director Maria Donahue.

The non-profit Healthy Acadia works to create healthier communities across Hancock and Washington Counties. The group received funding for tip 411 through Maine Prevention Services. 

“The earlier that youth start using substances like alcohol and other drugs, the more likely they are to develop problems later in life,” said Donahue.

For Chief Deputy Kane, this new tool is the way of the future. 

“I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg with technology such as it is,” said Kane. “This is going to work not only here, but I think you’ll see this grow in Maine and nationally,” he added.

See the full report from News Center Maine

Crime Solvers Tip411
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Fairfax County Crime Solvers Partners with tip411

Fairfax County Crime Solvers has partnered with tip411 to introduce a new and innovative crime-fighting tool.

Through a partnership with tip411, information can now be shared anonymously with police via a free smartphone app, text message, or a web tip form.

Fairfax County Crime Solvers encourages anyone with a smartphone to download their free Fairfax Co Crime Solvers app for iPhone/Android or to text anonymous tips to 847411 using keyword FCCS.

Residents should submit tips about crimes, drugs, bullying, threats, suspicious activity, and more to help police protect students and community members of all ages.

Issues requiring immediate public safety attention should always be reported directly police by calling 9-1-1.

More information about Fairfax County Crime Solvers can be found at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org

Chief John Swenson
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Lino Lakes Police Now Using tip411 to Communicate with Residents

Tony Stano wanted for some time to bring the product he’s helped sell to communities around the country to the city where he lives.

“It’s kind of a passion project for me,” said Stano, who lives in Lino Lakes and is sales director for Tip411, a Twin Cities-based company that has operated a law enforcement communication platform for nearly 20 years.

“I know how important it is to every community we work with because it’s a complete community engagement tool that works to provide a safe space for residents to get involved in government where they might not otherwise feel inclined to say anything about what’s happening in their neighborhoods,” Stano said.

Lino Lakes Public Safety Department is the latest agency to sign on, and the system is now live.

“This is a platform for us to have really on-going engagement with our community,” said Public Safety Director John Swenson. “(Residents) can also provide information to us anonymously through text messaging, through the app, or through the website.”

It works seamlessly with the department’s existing social media platforms, including Facebook, which has continued to prove popular with people who live and work in Lino Lakes.

Tip411 also divides the city into four zones to streamline communication and make each zone specific to where users are most interested in knowing what’s going on.

“Simply by clicking a couple of boxes, we’re able to send that information across all of our social media platforms at one time, which is a real advantage for us,” said Swenson. “Public safety really is a partnership. We cannot possibly keep track of everything that’s going on in our community.”

“It doesn’t matter the size of the agency or community,” said Stano. “If you can send a text, download an app, or manage the internet in any capacity, you can utilize Tip411 to participate in neighborhood safety.”