Text-A-Crime-Tip Starts Today

Ah, the modern age.

Starting today, if you witness a crime taking place in Seattle, you can text message authorities the details. Seattle will be the third city in the nation to adopt a text-a-tip program, after Cincinnati and Boston. The program run by Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, will allow people to send tips anonymously. As of yet, tipsters can't send photo or video evidence to the line.

To text a crime tip in Seattle:

* Dial CRIMES or send a text message to #274637
* Start message with "Tip 486"
* Include a space before sending crime details
* Tipsters will receive an alias they can check on, in case their tip leads to an arrest and possible reward.

The text-a-tip program will also be available outside of King Country proper, including Island, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties. Crime Stoppers advise that people who send in tips erase them immediately to protect their own safety.

"Tears and Text Messages" by Flickr Contributor, Fernando_Graphicos

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Abbey in News on April 4, 2008 9:20 AM

Comments [rss]

Katelyn

@brappy, I don't believe it. I read it, and it sounds good, but I just don't trust the gov't with that info until they pass a law saying they aren't allowed to prosecute the crime tipper or something like that.

Tera

What happens when you text a crime tip while driving...?

brappy

@Katelyn, if you read the article, they explain how that works.

Katelyn

They're advertising this as anonymous... but I don't understand how this is anonymous in any way!! Even if I tip and then erase the text message from my phone, they can still trace it back to my number more than easily.