tip411 phone app screen shot
admin In The News

Police turning to technology to increase connection with people they serve

The Pelham Police Department is turning to an innovative new app to connect with people, and the department believes it’s the first in the area to use it.

“The app just takes our community policing to the next level,” said Sgt. Brian Barbato of the Pelham Police Department.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgVeBt9n7X0?ecver=2]

The Pelham PD app launched earlier this month. Designed by the Citizen Observer Program, it sends instant alerts to users on emergencies, road closures and press releases.

“People have loved it so far. We’ve got a lot of positive feedback from it. People love the interaction with the police department. They love to know what’s going on in their community,” said Barbato.

It also allows people to sends tips directly to the police dispatcher.

“And you can have a back and forth conversation with that dispatcher and then he or she can relay that information to the officers working the road,” said Barbato.

“These tips that can come in through the app are completely anonymous. We don’t have any IP addresses attached to it,” added Lt. Anne Perriello of Pelham police.

Watch or read the full report from WMUR9 TV

tip411 app for anonymous messages
admin In The News

Barrera announces new ‘tip411’ smartphone app for anonymous messages to sheriff’s office

The Highland County Sheriff’s Office now allows the public to share important public safety information anonymously with law enforcement by sending them a secure text message about crimes or suspicious activity in Highland County via a free smartphone app.

The Highland County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that it is launching “tip411,” an internet-based tool from Citizen Observer that enables the public to text message an anonymous tip to law enforcement and lets the officers respond back, creating an anonymous two-way conversation. The app can be downloaded for free via the Google Play store and iTunes App Store. Enter Highland County Sheriff in the search bar.

In addition, anyone with a cell phone may send an anonymous tip to the Highland County Sheriff’s office by texting HCSHERIFF and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can be submitted right from the sheriff’s office website at www.highlandcoso.com.

The Text Tips App and tip411 anonymous text-a-tip system are 100 percent anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before law enforcement officers see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender.

“We believe the public is our greatest law enforcement resource,” said sheriff Donnie Barrera, adding that “tip411 allows a safe and secure way for community members to share important information with law enforcement without the fear of retribution.”

Read more from The Times-Gazette

admin Agency Spotlight

Chief Anthony Holloway Calls tip411 “essential to modern policing”

Chief Anthony Holloway of the St. Petersburg, Florida Police Department is someone who has been a great partner with tip411, using the system as the head of three different departments.

Read below the letter below that Chief Holloway shared with his colleagues in the law enforcement community about his thoughts on the need for tip411 and how it is essential to modern policing:

“Dear Colleagues, 

As law enforcement leaders, we continue to look for ways to reach out, share information, and encourage our citizens to help us with our efforts to reduce crime and create safer communities.

I believe the tip411 system is essential to modern policing.  I’ve used this system during my time as chief in Somerville, Massachusetts, Clearwater, Florida, and now in St. Petersburg, and I truly believe this tool empowers officers and the community to engage and communicate in ways that were not possible before.

With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to Terry Halsch, President of tip411.  I invite you to connect with him to learn more about how their anonymous text a tip service, community alerts sent directly to residents via email and text message, social media integration, and new, innovative, tip411 Mobile app for iPhone and Android can be deployed by your department.

Visit tip411.com to learn more about the solutions they offer and read about how departments large and small across the United States are utilizing the system to gather intelligence from residents, close cases, and reduce crime.

Sincerely, 

Anthony Holloway
Chief of Police

Holloway Tip411 Support letter 20170131