GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is getting younger and hipper in hopes of nabbing more bad guys.
Officials for Crime Stoppers today unveiled plans to partner with area school districts so that students and others can send in anonymous tips with text messages instead of making the traditional phone call.
“If I had to predict, this will be the leading vehicle for receiving crime tips,” Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said after a press conference announcing the “Text-A-Tip” program at Cherry Creek High School. “This is a big leap forward.”
Police officials acknowledged that for most kids and many adults, text messaging is their preferred way of communicating. So why not make that available to them in reporting crime and other concerns to police?
The process is simple. Text to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter “DMCS” and a space, and then enter your message.
The Aurora, Cherry Creek, Douglas County and Denver school districts are involved in the new program but officials hope to get more districts on board as well.
“Our goal is that our parents feel their children are safe with us as they are in their homes,” said Mary Chesley, superintendent of the Cherry Creek School District.
Students say texting anonymously will help alleviate trust issues some may have, especially teens, with law enforcement.
“I think it really allows students … to finally be able to do the right thing and report crimes when they see it happening,” said Justine Volkman, a senior at Cherry Creek High.
Officials stressed that anyone can use the anonymous text line to report crimes, not just kids. They also stressed that the tips will indeed remain anonymous. There is no tracking of cell phone numbers, they said.
The Douglas County School District implemented its own tip-texting program about a year ago. Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver said the program has seen about 350 responses.
In one case, Weaver said, an anonymous text helped authorities to a student who had a hit list and another to a student who was threatening suicide. In both cases, tragedy was averted, he said.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
