Bismarck police to launch new anonymous text tip system
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Bismarck Police to Launch New Anonymous Text Tip System

Bismarck Police Department is making some big changes for the new year. Crime Stoppers is out, and a new, anonymous text tip system will take its place.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0etVS4mb54I&w=560&h=315]

The new system, Tip411 will be used starting January 1st.

Tip411 allows users to text the police department, and officers can actually respond. So you can have a back and forth conversation, anonymously, to explain what you’ve witnessed.

You can even attach photos or video to your tip.

Bismarck Police Department Officer Lynn Wanner adds, “Because we’re making it a lot easier for people to use, especially on the go; I mean if they’re out somewhere and they see something it’s much easier to text in a tip while it’s going on, rather than having to make a phone call or wait to get back and get on a website and use it. So, we’re hoping this really increases the amount of tips that come in that are useful to us.”

The text exchange works on the app, or you can text directly to the Tip411 number: 847-411. Start your message with keyword BISPD.

Search Bismarck PD in the App Store or the Google Play Store. It’s available today.

See the story on KXnet.com

Ashland City Police new logo
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New Ashland City Police Department app allows communication, anonymous tips

Ashland City residents can download an app to better communicate — even anonymously — with their local police department.

The Ashland City Council approved a contract with tip411 in September, a three-year contract covered by the police department’s budget, Chief Marc Coulon explained at the meeting.

Tip411 is a web-based tool used in law enforcement agencies, schools and coalitions, according to its website.

Ashland City’s police department “is increasing its crime-fighting arsenal” by launching the avenue for the public to find information, receive alerts from the department and submit anonymous tips. Officers can respond back and engage in conversation with the anonymous tipsters.

The free app is available to Apple and Android users, and residents can also sign up using the Town of Ashland City’s website. Those without a smartphone can also send anonymous tips by texting ACPDTIP and their message to the department to 847411 (tip411), according to a tip411 release sent by the Ashland City Police Department.

“Our mission is to reduce crime and the fear of crime through outstanding police services in partnership with the community,” Coulon said in the release. “We believe the addition of this new app will allow us to have an even deeper crime-fighting partnership with our residents.”

Coulon previously told the Times that even Cheatham County residents outside of Ashland City can use the app to send anonymous tips to the Ashland City Police Department, which can relay the tip to the correct jurisdiction.

“The Ashland City Police tip411 Mobile app will greatly improve the public’s access to agency alerts, social media channels, important information, and more to help fight crime,” tip411 President Terry Halsch said in the release. “We’ve listened to feedback from partners like (the) Ashland City Police Department and have built more advanced and innovative products to help departments better engage their communities.”

Ashland City police can also send notifications — including maps, images, links, case information, suspect or missing person information and more — to users. Those alerts can also be posted to the department’s social media accounts. Deputies will be able to log into tip411 from anywhere with internet access on any device.

Read the story from the Nashville Tennessean

Rockland County Anonymous Tip Program
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Interview with Rockland County, NY about their use of tip411

tip411 interviewed Sergeant Earl Lorence of the Clarkstown, New York Police Department about his experience with tip411 at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

Q: Tell us about your community and the work of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office (how many residents, how many sworn, your role between PD and DA’s Office, etc.).
A:  There are approximately 600 sworn law enforcement officers in Rockland County, NY.  There are approximately 325,000 residents in Rockland County. The RC DA and the 10 police departments and RC Sheriff’s Department work collaboratively to reduce, disrupt and prevent crime.

Q: How did you hear about tip411?
A: Yonkers PD / Westchester, NY implemented it years ago and we have been aware of the platform since that time.  We were looking for a way to engage our citizens

Q: How is tip411 administered in your area (responsibilities, protocols, etc.)?
A: As the tips come in, they are immediately disseminated to the agency representative that handles that jurisdiction.  They can then handle the tip the way that they see fit according to their agency guidelines.

Q: How has tip411 aided the DA’s Office?
A: It has brought several different law enforcement agencies to work together for the common good of the community.

Q: Any notable tips/arrests credited to tip411 that come to mind?
A:  The platform was responsible for information leading to an arrest of a resident who had weapons and a large amount of drugs. The tipster only felt comfortable reaching out anonymously via the app and continued communicating, which helped us build the case and arrest the suspect.

Q: What have you done to promote your tip411 system to make sure residents know about it and use it?
A: We have been doing ‘free’ advertising on social media via each departments Facebook page and Twitter page.  In addition, we advertised in our local Sunday newspaper and digital advertising via their platform as well. 

Q: Any advice for other agencies considering tip411?
A: Have ‘buy-in’ from the top down or else it may impede the progress of getting the message out to the public.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
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Delaware Natural Resources Police launch tip411 mobile app

Anonymously report poachers, polluters and other violators to DNREC in Delaware.

Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control launched a new law enforcement app, enabling the public to connect with the department’s Natural Resources Police officers, receive alerts and submit anonymous tips from their smartphones.

Developed by software company tip411, the Delaware Natural Resources Police app encourages the public to provide DNREC’s Natural Resources Police with factual and anonymously reported information leading to the arrest of poachers, polluters and other violators. The app is available for free download by searching “DENRP” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. The app can be used with 100 percent anonymity, as tip411′s technology removes all identifying information before NRP officers see the tips.

Delaware’s tip411 system enables the public to connect with the three branches of Natural Resources Police to report crimes and hazards to public safety. In addition to enforcing Delaware criminal and motor vehicle laws as do all Delaware police agencies, DNREC’s three law enforcement branches focus on specific enforcement areas.

Read the full story from the Dover Post