WESTCHESTER, NY — Westchester County law enforcement is launching an anonymous web tip program – tip411 – that will allow anyone with either a Smartphone, Tablet, standard cell phone or computer to text in a tip to their local police department.
The Westchester County Crime Tips app is available for both Android and iPhone devices and will enable the public to send anonymous tips to their local police department with the police able to respond back, creating a two way anonymous “chat”.
The software was developed by CitizenObserver, a St. Paul Minnesota company, that provides web based alerting tools to local state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies in over 40 states.
In Westchester County, the vast majority, 37 of the 42 police agencies will be participating in this web tip program.
The app is available on the iTunes Store at: WC Crimetips
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wc-crimetips/id912443578
And on the Google Play Store at: WC Crimetips
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citizenobserver.wccrimetips
You can also go to the Westchester County Crime Tips Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/WestchesterCrimeTips to submit a tip and download the app.
The Yonkers Police Department has been successfully using the CitizenObserver System for the last 4 years.
The way the new interactive social media system works is by texting your local police department’s – keyword – and your – tip – to 847411 (tip411).
“This program puts a powerful new crime fighting tool into the hands of our community. Law enforcement must continue to be forward thinking, and embracing the way many people communicate today, adds to the way that everyone, especially the younger age demographic, can contact police. The system allows citizens to report on a crime without having to say a word, providing an unprecedented anywhere, anytime, silent, and anonymous approach to crime reporting,” said District Attorney Janet DiFiore.