For the first time, mobile phone users across the United States and
Canada now have the ability to provide anonymous crime fighting tips
through the power of SMS text messaging. mBlox,, and Anderson Software, LLC, have joined together to provide this service which allows
citizens to send anonymous tips by sending a text message from a mobile
phone.
Using TipSoft SMS, tips may be anonymously received and securely replied
to with complete confidence. Anderson Software has built this service
specifically to allow text messaging informants to remain anonymous by
encrypting the text messages and routing them through several secure
servers, protecting the personal details of the informant.
TipSoft SMS also allows police to respond by text message to the
originating cell phone without ever knowing the identity of the
individual who left the tip. The user’s
information is always given an alias and a unique ID before being sent.
This secure application allows the tipster and the investigator to have
two-way dialog while always keeping the user’s
identity completely anonymous.
TipSoft is currently launching in 32 cities in the United States and
will soon be available throughout the UK. Sixteen cities in Canada have
already launched the program. Additional information on TipSoft SMS can
be found on the Web site at http://www.smscrimetips.com.
mBlox enables businesses to deliver and bill for mobile services and
content around the world while simplifying the commercial and technical
complexities involved. Through its partnership with Anderson Software,
mBlox will provide access to the networks necessary to ensure that
possible crime solving tips reliably reach law enforcement while
protecting the anonymity of the sender.
“The popularity of text messaging has created
a significant opportunity for the public to help law enforcement
agencies fight crime,” said Steve Livingston,
chief marketing officer of mBlox. “The ability
for any citizen who owns a mobile phone to assist in crime solving is of
great importance to communities globally and we are excited to play such
a pivotal role in the transmission of these crime fighting tips.”
Crime Stoppers, the recognized international community action group that
supports law enforcement agencies in gathering intelligence, has
embraced this technology. The organization anticipates that this new
system will attract more citizens to come forward with tips that may not
have been previously submitted.
“I have been a law enforcement officer for over 30 years and this is by
far the most innovative, progressive tool I have ever seen in my career,”
said Myrle Carner, Director of Law Enforcement Services, Seattle Police
Department. “There is no doubt that this
program will dramatically increase our crime solving capabilities!”
”Utilizing SMS text message technology is
extremely important to Crime Stoppers because taking tips 24/7 that are
truly anonymous is the life blood of the program,”
said Elaine Cloyd, President of Crime Stoppers USA. “We
have worked with Anderson Software for many years and many Crime Stopper
programs are using the TipSoft tip reporting system. We were already
excited about the development of their WebTip application, which has
doubled the tips coming in to many programs, and look forward with
anticipation to the TipSoft SMS product.”
”Due to the massive popularity of text
messaging, we felt it was necessary to develop a secure and anonymous
means of easy communication between mobile phone users and law
enforcement,” said Kevin Anderson, CEO of
Anderson Software. “With TipSoft SMS,
everyday citizens will have the opportunity to offer an anonymous tip
when they are mobile to a variety of law enforcement agencies via a
simple text message.” Anderson encourages
tipsters to report information about any non-urgent illegal activity,
such as unsolved cases, vandalism, theft and the sale and distribution
of drugs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: