In an effort to empower the public to anonymously share important information that could affect public safety, the Bloomington Police Department has initiated the ‘tip411’ system.
The program is an internet-based tool from Citizen Observer that enables the public to send an anonymous tip to police via text message and as time allows, lets the department respond back to the resident in an unidentified two-way text conversation. The ‘tip411’ system is 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before the department receives it, giving no way to identify the sender.
Anyone with a cell phone can send an anonymous crime tip to Bloomington Police by texting the word BPDTIPS followed by their message/tip to 847411. Tipsters can also submit anonymous tips through the department’s website at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/government/departments/police/submit-a-tip
“Our mission is to work in partnership with the community members of Bloomington to enforce the laws and to enhance the quality of life in our community,” said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington. “It is this partnership which will allow for collaborative problem-solving, crime prevention, and safer neighborhoods. We also believe that our pro-active use of new and existing technologies increases our capability to make the City of Bloomington safer.” “
This system has been successful in communities across the U.S.,” said Terry Halsch, President of ‘tip411’. “Departments have been helped tremendously by members of the public who have sent anonymous text messages to police with important information that often leads to arrests.”
