Text your tip Mario County

Marion County Sheriff’s kick off text to tip app

Marion County residents can now report crime tips via text message.

The new text-to-tip program, tip411, allows Marion County Sheriff’s Office to help connect with the community.

The program lets users report crime tips and suspicious activities by sending an anonymous text message from their cellphone or through a free app called MCSO In The Know.

“We believe an informed community is a safer community,” said Lt. Chris Baldridge,  Marion County Sheriff’s public information officer.

MCSO In The Know gives officers the ability respond back by creating an anonymous two-way conversation.

The technology utilized in the app removes identifying information from users before messages reach police.

In addition to the two-way text conversations, the sheriff’s office will inform registered app users of public safety alerts by sending emails, text messages and app alerts.

Anonymous crime tips can also be shared by sending by texting “TipMCSO” and their message to 847411, or tip411.

Read the full story from the Statesman Journal.

Join the anonymous tip team

tip411 Program Assists in Theft Arrest

A 36-year-old Deerwood man was arrested Saturday for receiving stolen property following the recovery of a stolen all-terrain vehicle on the 22000 block of Cottontail Drive in Cuyuna.

Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office was called at 12:39 p.m. about a recovery of a stolen 2013 Polaris Razor ATV from the Cottontail Drive residence, which was originally stolen a few days prior at a residence on Placid Lake Drive in rural Deerwood. While deputies were at the residence, they also located additional stolen property from other residences including four-wheeler, and a boat and trailer that had not been reported stolen yet as the owner didn’t know it was missing until deputies contacted them.

The 36-year-old Deerwood man, who was arrested for having the stolen property and is in jail awaiting formal charges, also is on probation for third-degree sale of a controlled substance and has a lengthy criminal history, the sheriff’s office reported.

Sheriff Todd Dahl reports the recovery was the direct result of the TIP411 program which was implemented about four months ago.

“The program works exactly as it was designed to do,” Dahl stated in a news release. “It allows people to submit anonymous tips through their phones or computers directly to our investigators. It’s a great tool.”

Read the full story from the Brainerd Dispatch

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.

Sheriff’s department’s new app lets residents submit anonymous tips

The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Department is expanding its “crime-fighting arsenal” with a mobile phone app that lets people send anonymous tips, according to a press release.

The “GFSO tip411 mobile app” can be downloaded for free on Google Play Store, iTunes App Store or by visiting the Sheriff’s Office website.

The app removes all identifying information before law enforcement sees the tips. “There is no way to identify the sender,” according to the release.

“In our effort to provide the highest quality service to the community, we wish to keep the public informed and involved,” Sheriff Bob Rost said. “We believe the addition of this new app from tip411 will allow us to do just that while forming a deeper crime-fighting partnership with residents.”

Those without a smartphone can still submit tips through the department’s website or by texting them to 847411.

Story from the Grand Forks Herald