AKRON, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
In an effort to help combat crime, the Akron Police Department has launched a new mobile app that allows users to submit anonymous tips.
The Akron PD app was developed by tip411 and "puts a powerful new crime-fighting tool into the hands of community members of all ages." The app is free and available for download via the Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or at www.AkronCops.org.
“Our mission is to serve the community of Akron in a collaborative effort to enhance the quality of life through crime prevention, enforcement of laws, promotion of safety, and reduction of fear,” Akron Police Chief Stephen L. Mylett said in a statement. “We believe our new Akron PD app from tip411 will help us do just that by making it easier for our community to connect with us to make Akron a safer place for all to live, work, and visit.”
The app also allows officers to respond to submitted tips and create a two-way conversation with the user.
“We’re continuously working to build more advanced and innovative products to help departments better engage their communities,” tip411 President Terry Halsch said. “The Akron PD app, powered by tip411, will greatly improve the public’s access to agency alerts, social media channels, important information, and more to help fight crime.”
Tips submitted are 100 percent anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before police see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender. Those without a smartphone are also able to share information with police by using their cell phone to send an anonymous tip by texting the keyword AKRONPD and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted at www.AkronCops.org.