Chief Jared Mills of the Augusta, Maine Police Department speaks about the department’s new tip411 program and explains how, and why, residents should use it.
Northampton sheriff: New app for crime alerts and tips
A new app alerts Northampton residents to crimes or other incidents — and it also allows users to send in crime tips or report unusual activity to the Sheriff’s Office anonymously.
Northampton Sheriff David Doughty announced the free Tip 411 app is available to the public.
“We are working every day to continue to strengthen our relationship with the community,” said Doughty, adding, “It has been my mission since day one as your sheriff to make Northampton County as safe as it can be.”
The app is “a great way for our citizens to become involved with helping us make Northampton County a safe place to live, work, play and raise our families,” Doughty said.
The free app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store by searching Northampton Sheriff.
Residents also can send tips from a computer or tablet by going to http://www.tip411.com/agencies/northamptoncosheriff/groups/21736
Additionally, tips can be called in to the tip line at 757-678-0458, or texted to 847411, beginning the message with “NCSO,” according to a press release.
The app is not intended to replace calling 911 or to be used in emergencies.
The Sheriff’s Office also has partnered with the county school district to provide the app to enable students to send anonymous tips to school resource officers, school administrators, or other authorized personnel.
“The app will give students a way to anonymously communicate with school officials and law enforcement on issues that pose a threat to the safety of their fellow students, teachers and staff,” according to the release.
tip411 App in Onondaga County Busts Marijuana Growing Operation
An 80-year-old woman and her son were charged with growing marijuana in Clay.
According to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Rosemary Mezzatesta, 80, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the third degree and unlawfully growing cannabis after a concerned community member notified deputies using the Tip411 app.
Mezzatesta’s son, 51-year-old Albert Merola was also charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the third degree, unlawfully growing cannabis and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Both were issued appearance tickets.
Rockland District Attorney’s Office tips411 app: What are tipsters reporting?
The Rockland County District Attorney’s tip411 app has been downloaded hundreds of times in its first six months and has generated dozens of tips from all corners of the county, some leading to arrests.
The app lets smartphone users send anonymous tips about suspected crime, drugs, vehicle and traffic concerns, suspicious activity and other quality of life issues to their local police department with officers able to respond, creating a two-way chat.
The app’s settings allow users to receive alerts about reported crime on a countywide basis or in just their own towns. Users can also submit posts, photos and video from social media.
VIDEO: Rockland DA announces new tip411 app for anonymous tipsters
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One tip led to a shared investigation between the county Narcotics Task Force and Ramapo police that resulted in a pair of arrests for cocaine, marijuana and a stun gun.
Three arrests for outstanding warrants also came as a result of tips through the app, said Capt. Brendan Donohue of the District Attorney’s Office Detective Bureau, who oversees the program.
“It’s a great way people can report on things without having their name exposed and they can help fight crime,” Donohue said. “They’re really partners with the police, that’s the whole idea,”
Dohohue said the majority of the tips have been for suspected crimes like drug deals on the streets or complaints like speeding or stop signs being ignored in specific neighborhoods.
“We can use our resources to put cars in those areas,” he said.
District Attorney Tom Zugibe said the app takes the fear out of reporting suspected crime because law enforcement cannot trace the users’ identity.
West Kentucky Crime Stoppers launches new mobile app
A new West Kentucky Crime Stoppers app will help residents connect with local law enforcement agencies from their cellphones.
Residents will be able to find information, view alerts and submit secure anonymous tips about crimes or suspicious activity.
The WKY Crime Stoppers app was developed by tip411 and is a power crime-fighting tools in the hands of community members of all ages. The app is available for download “free” from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store.
The public can also text tips to police, allowing officers to respond with an anonymous two-way conversation. To send an anonymous text tip to police using a cell phone, text the keyword WKY and the message/tip to 847411 (tip411).
“Our mission is to reduce crime and the fear of crime through outstanding police services in partnership with the community,” said Paducah Police Chief Brandon Barnhill. “The addition of this new app and texting service will allow us to have an even deeper partnership with our residents.”