Lawmaker Announces “Text-A-Tip” Crime Stoppers Program
SAYS “YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR CALL”
Lindenhurst, New York – Today, seeking to revitalize the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers program, Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) announced the “Text-A-Tip” program to allow Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to receive tips, anonymously, via text-messaging and e-mailing. Horsley developed the initiative after recent reports that over 100 kids were involved in a local high school brawl.
“After reading reports of over 100 high school students engaging in a dangerous brawl it seemed obvious that someone must have known about the impending mêlée, and maybe it could have been prevented. Look, texting is the preferred way of communication among teenagers and young adults so it makes sense that we embrace the role of texting in our policing efforts.” Horsley emphasized, “Texting a tip to law enforcement is a rapid and silent method of communication that may make tipsters more comfortable when reporting crimes or potential crimes.”
Horsley noted such a program is more likely to be utilized by younger residents and could be highly effective in combating high school violence, gang activities, and other crimes predominately perpetrated by youthful offenders. Once established the “Text-A-Tip” advertising campaign will be made available to interested schools and universities
Horsley insisted the “text-a-tip” program be designed to maintain the anonymous nature of crime-stoppers and pointed to a model employed by the Boston Police Department. The BPD maintains texting anonymity through third-party scrambling of messages. Under the BPD scenario tipsters receive a code and use that code during all discussions with investigators. Investigators in turn use the code to text the tipster, thus enabling interactive data sharing and tipster anonymity.
Across the nation “Text-A-Tip” programs have resulted in as much as 212% increase in successful crime prevention tips, and led to hit-and-run arrests, illegal gun confiscations, and even solved homicide investigations.
Horsley concluded, “Instituting a ‘Text-A-Tip’ program in Suffolk is a no brainer. It is a low cost, inclusive crime-fighting tool that connects with the millennial generation.”
Other “Text-A-Tip” crime stopper initiatives are in New York City (NY), Boston (MA), Cincinnati (OH), Charleston (SC), Seattle (WA), Fresno (CA), San Diego (CA), Tampa (FL), and Kansas City (MO).
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