Free app allows residents to send anonymous tips directly to police from their smartphone
VALLEY CITY, ND – February 12, 2018 – The Valley City Police Department now allows the public to share important public safety information anonymously by sending them a secure message about crimes or suspicious activity in Valley City via a free smartphone app and text line.
Used by over 1,200 communities throughout the U.S. and many communities in North Dakota, tip411 enables anyone with a cell phone or web browser access to send anonymous tips to law enforcement. Tips are received via an interface that allows for secure web and text based conversations. Tip411 enables the public to share an anonymous tip with police and lets the officers respond back creating an anonymous two-way conversation.
The VC BarnesCo. Tips App puts a powerful new crime-fighting tool into the hands of community members of all ages. The App can be downloaded free via the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store.
“We believe the public is our greatest law enforcement resource,” said Police Chief Phil Hatcher of the Valley City Police Department. “Tip411 has been successful in communities across the U.S. and here in North Dakota. It is a safe and secure way for community members to share important information with police without the fear of retribution. It will help our residents play a more active role in keeping Valley City safe.”
Anyone with a cell phone may also send an anonymous tip to Valley City Police Department by texting VCPOLICE and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Tip411 should not be used in place of 911 in an emergency.
The VC BarnesCo. Tips App and tip411 anonymous text-a-tip system are 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before police see the tip and there is no way to identify the sender.
“The Partnership for Success grant allows us to address underage drinking in Barnes County, and will support the first thirty-six months of tip line service,” said Katie Beyer, Prevention Specialist at City-County Health District. “We’ve enjoyed successful collaboration with law enforcement in the adoption of this service, and we commend their proactive approach to harm-reduction in our community.”
Valley City Public Schools and the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office also allow the public to share important public safety information via tip411. School Resource Officer Sean Hagen will manage the tip line for Valley City Public Schools using the keyword HILINERTIPS. Sheriff Randy McClaflin will manage the tip line for the rural areas of Barnes County using the keyword BCSHERIFF.
Those with questions are asked to call the Valley City Police Department at 701-845-3110.