http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1164216 (Video)
Anonymous tips about drug activity can be sent through text messaging
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in the Valley is using text messages to make reporting possible drug trafficking easier.
DEA Assistant Special Agent Steve Jenkins in McAllen said it’s a step to help the community feel safe.
“We’re trying to get the message out to the community that hey this is available and it’s a way for them to help keep the streets safe,” Jenkins said.
“TIP 411” is an anonymous program that allows you to text a tip when you see possible drug activity.
Just grab your cell phone, type TIP 411, then go to the message box and type RGV with a description or picture of the crime.
“That’ll get passed to the DEA office here and we’ll take act appropriately,” Jenkins said.
The tipster’s phone number will not be seen by the DEA agent.
Jenkins said the new system allows them to keep an ongoing anonymous conversation with the tipsters, rather than a phone call with no way of getting more information once you hang up.
“It’s a way if the person is not comfortable with providing us the information, “Jenkins said. “They can give it to us that way.”
Jenkins said he hopes the younger community will use the program.
“This is out there for them,” he said. “We’re here to keep the streets safe.”
Jenkins said other cities using the program like El Paso, New Orleans and Albuquerque have seen success in fighting drug activity.
Make sure when you are using the TIP 411 program, you must be connected with a cell phone provider.
Filed under: General Problems
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I remember seeing a sign in Houston, TX, asking drivers to take pictures of criminal activity with their cell phones and turn it in to the police… but I’ve also seen texting used to help a woman who was suicidal.
Although I live in Albuquerque, I haven’t read anything about these kinds of programs, so I don’t know how successful they are. But since they’re aimed at the “younger community,” maybe that’s why I haven’t read about it.
But I can’t imagine that those who grew up in the internet age (users of the much-hyped, but ultimately hacked, SnapChat) would trust an electronic system like that… as well as trust law enforcement during the drug-war age. Everyone knows there’s no such thing as an “anonymous” digital system. (Remember Silk Road?)
No, I think the people who would turn in their friends and family have other reasons for doing so. I’ve read stories about angry parents in the middle of a divorce turning in one parent for being a medical cannabis patient. Certain people against a methadone clinic in their neighborhood calling in “suspicious” activity. I’m sure that drug dealers use these kinds of systems to get rid of their rivals. I could think of dozens of examples for this system to be used against people, including criminalizing those who are addicted to drugs.
And the drug war continues.