Text A Tip: An Important tool for residents and police to communicate
The Danvers Police Department has an Internet-based tool that allows the public to text message an anonymous tip to police, and it lets the police respond back creating a two way anonymous “chat.”
The system is completely anonymous. Citizen Observer’s technology removes all identifying information before the Police Department sees it, so there is no way to identify the sender. This program is intended as a way to support community involvement in overall health and safety of youth and families in Danvers.
Why is this program important? According to Chief Ouellette, this capability is a new paradigm for creating safer communities, especially when reaching out to younger people. “When someone feels afraid to come forward, or feels like they do not want to get involved, this is a great way to pass on information without fear of retribution.”
To send a tip to the police follow these steps:
1. Type 847411 (tip411) into the send to bar on your phone.
2. In the Message text field: Type Code Word DanversPD
3. Type a brief sentence about your tip.
4. Hit Send.
You can create a contact in your Address Book “Police Tip Line” or “Tip411” and code 847411 as the number to text.
If you have a tip that is related to youth, you follow the same steps above but type in the code word DanversSRO in your text message line. These messages go directly to School Resource Officers to respond. The code words ensure the Citizen Observer software routes the information to Danvers Police.
It is important to remember that this Tip Line is for non-emergencies. For all emergencies, 911 is still the call number.
You can also submit tips through the Web here: https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=137
The Danvers Police encourage people to send in any information on any criminal matter or quality of life concern. The information will be reviewed and triaged to the appropriate person in the department for response. In terms of public communication concerning the status of an investigation, often information is not released because it may compromise an investigation or an on-going case, but the Danvers Police Department would like to reassure everyone that each tip received will be acted on. We would like to thank residents in advance for their concern and active participation in the overall safety of our community.