Public can submit anonymous crime tips and sign-up for free TipSoft alerts
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office and the Walworth County Crime Stoppers program have announced the availability of TipSoft, a service for citizens to anonymously submit crime-related tips through the Web, a text message or from any Android or iPhone mobile device with the TipSubmit mobile app.
The use of TipSoft is part of Walworth County Crime Stoppers proactive efforts to prevent, reduce, and solve crime.
TipSoft is successful because it uses technology that is familiar to citizens allowing them to carry on an anonymous two-way conversation with law enforcement without requiring them to speak directly to an officer, according to a release.
Proven technology
To date, the TipSoft system, used across the country, has received more than two million tips, resulting in 145,000 arrests, 55,000 fugitives caught, and more than $5.3 billion recovered in drugs and property – including 11,000 vehicles and 22,000 weapons.
Deputy Dan Nelson of the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, and the law enforcement coordinator for the Walworth County Crime Stoppers, is excited about the potential this program has.
“Tips and information received through this program will easily be able to be shared with other police departments throughout Walworth County,” Nelson said.
“Each police department along with the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Drug Unit has officers assigned that will be working directly with Crime Stoppers,” he noted.
“Maximum attention will be given to information received and to have two-way communication with an anonymous tipster is an added bonus that will help gather accurate and helpful information useful to solve crimes,” Nelson said.
In addition to encouraging the public to submit crime-related information using Web forms, mobile apps and texting, TipSoft supports users’ ability to submit videos or photographs. TipSoft can be used to submit information on crimes, missing children, fugitives, and other non-emergency situations.
Citizen alerts
Residents can also sign-up for TipSoft alerts that allow Walworth County Crime Stoppers to send emergency alerts via SMS mobile phone or email messages. These alerts are important in communicating with citizens on issues such as crime, fugitives, Amber alerts and other community emergencies. Citizens can sign up for TipSoft Alerts by visiting www.tipsoft.com
Citizens are encouraged to use TipSoft to report information about any non-urgent illegal activity, such as unsolved cases, vandalism, theft, the sale and distribution of drugs or information about crimes that are being planned in the community or in schools.
Anonymous Tips can be submitted by visiting https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1192, or by texting tip4wc plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).
If you have a smart device, you can also submit tips by downloading the TipSoft application. For more information on this service, or to submit a web based tip visit www.tipsoft.com .
Residents can still submit an anonymous tip by calling the Walworth County Crime Stoppers Phone Line at (262) 723-2677.
