Vineland, N.J. gets a text message tip line

    Though its iPhone app is still in development, Vineland, New Jersey has entered the digital age and now offers a text message tip line for residents to use.

     

    “It’s actually a tool that’s going to allow us to target a younger group, a younger demographic,” said Capt. Thomas Ulrich in an article on NJ.com.

    According to the story, Vineland joins San Fransisco and Boston, which also use the service. A similar line is also planned for Atlantic City.

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    Though the text-a-tip system seems simple enough, texts must be sent into the department by texting 847411 (tip411) and sending the keyword VPDTIP in addition to any information they’re reporting. So save the number, store the keyword, and don’t send any prank texts because “tips are received by the department and information is automatically posted on Facebook, Twitter, and the department website.”

    Tips are also anonymous, and cannot be looked into by the courts or police department.

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