The Allen Park Police  Department has launched tip411, an internet based tool that enables the public to text message anonymous tips to police, and lets the police respond back creating a two-way anonymous "chat."

Reserved exclusively for Public Safety purposes and powered by CitizenObserver, a St. Paul, Minnesota Company, tip411 puts a powerful new crime fighting tool into the hands of the Allen Park community for all ages and demographics.

Now, anyone with a cell phone can send an anonymous tip to the Allen Park Police Department by texting the word 313APPD and the tip information to 847411 (tip411).

Anonymous web tips can also be submitted by clicking on the following link:

http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/webTipForm.html?id=5156

CitizenObserver's technology removes all identifying information before the Police Department see's it so there is no way to identify the sender.  It is 100% anonymous. 

This capability is a new platform for creating safer communities-especially in reaching out to a younger age demographic.  When someone feels afraid to come forward, or simply feels like they don't want to get involved, this can be a great way to pass information on without fear or retribution.

Cell phone set up for tip411 is easy:

1. On your phone, go to where  you would to send a text message to someone.

2. In the "To" block (who you're going to send it to), type in 847411.

3. Drop to your text box; once in text box type in 313APPD followed by a space.  Letters are not case sensitive.

4.  Then type in your crime tip and push send once your crime tip is complete.

Once a crime tip is sent, you will receive a message from Citizen Observer indicating the message has been forwarded to the Allen Park Police Department.  The Allen Park Police Department can respond to the sender to ask for additional information. 

 Please note that Text message charges may apply to your account, depending on the terms of your phone service.