Text messages tip off Sanford police about crime

Sanford, N.C. — Crime-fighting has gone high-tech and mobile in Sanford as residents anonymously tip off police via text messages.

"Text messaging is new, and everybody's using it," Sanford Police Maj. Kevin Gray said. "We're just looking for any way to get information to solve crimes."

Sanford's text-messaging system for crime tips is the first in North Carolina, department officials said. It supplements a 25-year-old phone system that was getting fewer and fewer calls, Gray said.

The tips are also anonymous; police officers never see the tipsters' name or phone number. However, officers can text back, asking for more information.

"It may be a drug deal, could be any kind of activity," City Manager Hal Hegwer said.

Tipsters send a message beginning with 919SPD to Tip411. The message first goes to Minneapolis-based CitizenObserver, which Sanford pays about $2,000 a year to strip text messages of identifying information.

About two minutes after the text is first sent, the message pops up on a computer screen in the Sanford Police Department.

Hegwer, who came up with the idea, said he thinks texting crime tips will catch on with young people – hopefully generating more leads for police.

"The fact that you can communicate without even hearing the voice, I think that will catch on, because (among) younger generations, there's millions of folks using this kind of technology daily," Hegwer said.

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Latest Comments

Finally something useful has come from text messaging! Why can this not be used in Raleigh. If I had a tip I would send it in as well as cash in! Aren't people paid for tips?

ambidextrous cat
April 14, 2009 9:23 a.m.

Okay, I just visited the Sanford Police Dept's websit and it says to:

Enter: tip411 as the number you are sending the text to.

Then: In the beginning of your message, type 919SPD this is so the service base will know where to send the texted tip.

Followed by: Any information you wish to be texted to the Police.

JofNC
April 13, 2009 5:58 p.m.

I don't think the article is very clear on how to send the text message. This article needs to be clarified!

JofNC
April 13, 2009 5:53 p.m.

Maybe they should try this in Durham and Wake Counties. It couldn't hurt and it might even help keep the crime rate down.

whocares
April 13, 2009 5:38 p.m.

Living in Sanford & working with young people, I honestly believe this system is a great idea. The kids (and community as a whole) are so stuck on the idea of not "snitching" that they refuse to turn in information even when they know it’s the right thing to do. This new system will allow more people to be helpful & yet remain in their comfort zone. The third party removes all signs of where the tip came from. The Sanford PD will receive only the information given, whether it turns out to be good or not. It may not be perfect or even turn out to be hugely popular - but it definitely is a step up from the old phone-in system and is much more up to date with how young people are communicating. The important thing here is that the SPD is making an effort to stay current with the community. Sad that far too many people are critical & suspicious of law enforcement, enabling so many bad things to occur within our community because they do not want to become involved.