You Can Now Text Message Anonymous Tips To Crime Stoppers
Posted April 24, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Crime fighters are utilizing the latest technological trends in an effort to make it easier for young people to provide anonymous information on illegal activities.
The Crime Stoppers program launched a text messaging program Thursday and targeted the initiative at youth who are increasingly turning to digital devices to communicate.
“(They) may not know a lot about Crime Stoppers or how to get in touch with us. . . . their technology is the Web and cellphones. They live on those things,” Ralph Page, chairman of the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association, said.
A Texas-based software development company designed a program for Crime Stoppers to ensure all text messages are anonymous by assigning an encrypted alias to any identifying information.
The non-profit group already provides an anonymous tip line for GTA residents and tipsters can send information to authorities via encrypted email. The organization has also utilized YouTube to release crime re-enactments, which are also televised.
The texting program is expected to provide a lot of help to authorities as there are some 20 million cellphone subscribers across the country who send an average of two text messages per day. Canadians sent 4.3 billion texts in 2006.
Anyone wanting to provide anonymous information to police in the GTA can send a text to CRIMES (274637).
