SF Police Unveils Text-a-Tip Program

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Residents in San Francisco will soon be able to text 911 with police tips.

On Wednesday the San Francisco Police Department announced its Text-a-Tip program, which allows people to send text messages to police anonymously. Police believe it's a way for people to report crimes in progress, suspicious activity and descriptions of suspects without having to call attention to themselves by speaking into the phone.

"We've had a tip line, an actual phone line," said John Marshall of the San Francisco Police Commission. "Now we're putting in a texting procedure that is in with a lot of folks. And the department hopes they'll get information that will prove critical to making arrests.

"The tipper may be more inclined to get on their device and text in a tip versus going through the hassle or getting enough courage to get on the line and call in," he said.

Those living in the Lower Haight gave a thumbs up to the idea of using their thumbs to contact police.

"It's a safe way if you see something going on and you are not involved in it," said resident Katie French.

"It breaks it down for them to understand what is going on and respond faster," added local William Gordon.

The Napa Police Department began using the system about three weeks ago and has received about 10 tips.

San Francisco police are getting the word out about the text number -- T-I-P 411, or 847-411.

Iowa residents who use the local T-Mobile service recently began texting 911 for help .

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