The Chesterton, Burns Harbor and Porter, Indiana police departments are increasing their crime-fighting arsenal with a new app to help residents connect with the departments to find information, view alerts and submit anonymous tips from their smartphone.
Developed by tip411, the TIP46304 app puts a powerful new crime-fighting tool into the hands of community members of all ages, according to a news release. The TIP46304 app, which went live Monday, is available for download for free via the Google Play Store, iTunes app store or on the departments’ websites.
Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson, Burns Harbor Police Chief Mike Heckman and Porter Police Chief Todd Allen issued a joint statement touting the benefits of the new app.
“Each of our departments are dedicated to maintaining safe communities in Chesterton, Burns Harbor and Porter,” they said. “We believe the new TIP46304 app and anonymous text a tip system from tip411 will make it easier for our residents to reach out to us so that we can partner to help fight crime.”
The new TIP46304 app allows the public to share an anonymous tip with police and lets officers respond back to create an anonymous two-way conversation.
“We’ve listened to feedback from law enforcement agencies we’ve partnered with across the country and have built a more advanced and innovative product to help departments better engage their communities,” Terry Halsch, president of tip411, said in the release. “The TIP46304 app, powered by tip411, will greatly improve the public’s access to agency alerts, social media channels, important information and more to help fight crime.”
The TIP46304 app and tip44 anonymous text a tip system are 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before police see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender.
Those without a smart phone can share information with police by sending an anonymous text tip via their cellphone to police by texting keyword TIP46304 and their message/tip to 847411.