Fighting Crime -- One Text Message at a Time

You're standing in line at a convenience store waiting to pay for a super-sized soda and protein bar. In front of you is a kid who looks about 16 years old. You notice he's quite fidgety and his gaze keeps bouncing between the front door and security camera. In his hand -- a six pack of beer. Now you're wondering how this is going to play out. You're fully expecting the cashier to turn the kid away or at least card him, but instead he takes the kid's money and hands him beer. You have just witnessed a crime, now what?

With tiger-like stealth you reach for your secret weapon -- a cell phone. You maintain your cool exterior while you quietly, yet quickly, send a report directly to the police -- via text message. Congratulations, with just a few thumb taps you have defeated the evil-doer without even saying a word.

This scenario is quickly becoming a reality. Within the past few years, law enforcement officials have begun to recognize the potential that texting may have as a crime-fighting tool. By using this common form of communication, any citizen - young or old, male or female - can play a powerful role in the fight against crime without ever having to put themselves in danger.

How does it work? Say you see a suspicious character lurking about your neighborhood. Instead of having to place a call, wait for an answer and risk drawing attention to yourself by talking aloud, you can text a tip anytime, anywhere using your mobile phone or PDA. For example, in Boston you simply text the word "T-I-P" to CRIME (27463*). That's it!

How well does it work? In 2007, the Boston police launched the Crime Stoppers Program (http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/cristop.asp), becoming the first city to adopt the text messaging technology for reporting crimes. Within the first two months, texted tips helped bust at least two murder suspects and provided hot leads in other high-profile homicides. Now about 300 cities and towns across the nation and over 900 cities worldwide use a similar system.

Can they trace the call back to my phone? Texted tips are 100% anonymous. The text messages are sent through an encryption service before they reach the police to protect the caller's identity. Police hope this will make people more comfortable and willing to get involved.

What is it being used for? This new text messaging tool makes it easier (and a bit cooler) for people to give information to police about crimes they may hear about or witness. It also offers a way for callers to rid their neighborhoods of crime SAFELY. Although it is still in its infancy in the U.S., law enforcers have already devised some clever uses for it:

1. The Boston Police Crime Stoppers Program: This program highlights unsolved crimes of violence in the local media, appealing to the public for information. Tips and information are forwarded to the appropriate investigators.

2. Crack Down On Underage Drinking: The police in St. Joseph County, Indiana, are considering using text messaging technology to crack down on underage drinking. This would enable anyone to send an anonymous tip to police about local stores selling alcohol to kids who aren't 21, or parties where underage kids are drinking. They also believe this would make it easier, safer and less stigmatizing for kids to report on their peers.

3. Catch Sexual Attackers: Some police have used text messaging to trap alleged rape suspects into a confession. They send "pretext" phone calls from the victim to the attacker to try to get an admission of guilt. If the attacker sends an incriminating reply, prosecutors can use that as evidence instead of relying on one person's word against another.

4. Send a Warning: People can register to receive text alerts ranging from severe weather to neighborhood crime activities on their cell phones. Some states and the Federal Communications Commission are also looking at ways to broadcast terrorism, crime and natural disaster alerts.

So the next time you go out, be sure to arm yourself with a cell phone. You never know when your inner superhero will be called into action.

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