The Virginian-Pilot
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PORTSMOUTH
In the six months since police began accepting Crime Line tips via text message and Internet, only a handful have come in.
But police want to keep promoting the program in hopes of getting students to report crime.
Police in late April announced that the department would start accepting Crime Line tips via cell phone text messages. Since then, Portsmouth police have received 15 tips by text and 16 tips online through the Police Department's website, said Detective John Doyle, a department spokesman and Crime Line liaison. That compares with about 20 to 30 telephone tips to Portsmouth Crime Line each month.
Police departments outside Virginia reported similar results at the start, Doyle said.
"They said it started out real slow and they were getting maybe one or so for a month, so I'm actually happy with what we've got," he said.
Portsmouth is the only police agency in Hampton Roads that accepts anonymous Crime Line tips by text message.
The idea was discussed by the regional Crime Line board. Portsmouth police want to capitalize on increased use of texting by many Americans, who even use texts to vote in reality TV show competitions.
To do it, police use a software system that routes text messages to police without identifying the phone number of the sender.
It's more complicated than a standard text message to a friend: Cell phone users must text the word "Portsmouth" plus their tip to 274 637 (CRIMES).
The cost was minimal: The regional Hampton Roads Crime Line board set aside about $1,500 for a software upgrade for Portsmouth to start accepting anonymous tips. And Portsmouth police spent about $700 for cell phones and promotional material such as bumper stickers for patrol cars.
Police plan to put posters in Portsmouth schools to promote texting crime tips.
Both Hampton and Newport News police allow cell users to text tips, but their programs are not coordinated through Crime Line. In Newport News, people who tip by text message are not anonymous and not eligible for a reward, said Officer Lou Thurston, a department spokesman.
Ross Forster, chairman of the regional Hampton Roads Crime Line, said money is available for all cities if they want to follow Portsmouth in accepting text messages. Portsmouth is sort of a "test case," he said.
Crime Line pays up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The regional phone number is 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887).
Patrick Wilson, (757) 222-3893, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
Follow reporter Patrick Wilson on Twitter here.
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it's an ok idea, here's another
Change the crime line number to 1-800-lOCK-M-UP. 1-800-LOCK-U-UP makes me think I'm gonna get locked up, even though I know it doesn't. To me it just doesn't sound right with LOCK-U-UP in the number.
Great idea
PPD should be commended for thinking outside of the box. Here is a low-cost method of seeking partnership with the community. Good police work does not stand alone from the community; standing apart from the community to be served damages the force's effectiveness.
Integrating the system with the Crime Line incentivizes people to do the right thing. Crime tends to concentrate in areas of poverty where reward is a greater motivator than, say Sterling Point.
Keeping the tips confidential removes fear of reprisal. If you live in Lincoln Park or London Oaks, you often have to deal with some miscreant shooting a pistol in the middle of the night just to intimidate. Texting is a great way to "drop a dime" on that idiot.
Anonymous textn....hmmmm
Just pick up the phone and text in a crime line tip, it sounds good. In my opinion, I feel that people are really skeptical about using this service. I believe what doesn’t sit well with some individuals is that Portsmouth can and will recover the number if a tip come in that is REALLY pertinent. With the recent mistake in Suffolk with the individual name being released in a crime line tip, people are going to be cautious.
I do think it would be beneficial in the schools. Something more needs to be done with the outbreak of gang activities, it seems as if there isn’t a solution or is it that no one cares to incorporate?
Question
Are students allowed to use cell phones in school?
are phones allowed in school
Phones are allowed in high school; they can't be turned on or you can't be caught making phone calls or texting or you'll be disciplined. As far as the city wanting to make posters and advertising in the schools about texting crime line tips, I think it's a good idea...what do you think?
Thats a great idea.
The police should leave their phones at the police station. They used to ride around observing the neighborhoods looking for crime. Everytime you see them riding around now, they have a cell phone beside their ear. That blocks their vision. I have seen it time & time again in P-Town.
You're kidding right? Not
You're kidding right? Not everything can, or should be discussed over the radio. And many times it's much easier to contact someone by phone, instead of having them drive back to PPD to talk with who ever they need to.
excellent foresight on the
excellent foresight on the part of Portsmouth PD......although it's slow give it time.
Encourage civic leagues to pass the message AND let's get this on PCTV......
the community can only benefit from this service and GOOD ON PPD for keeping it anonymous so that folks in certain communities don't have to worry about retaliation!!!
perhaps crime line payouts will increase now.....cell phone bills nowadays are certainly increasing.......maybe someone can use this money for christmas or to keep their phone on....or maybe pay a bill or two.....
Let's HELP those who help us.....if you have info on criminal activity TEXT
TO:274637
PORTSMOUTH- XXX Address is selling drugs