Boston Police Use Latest Technology to Receive Crime Tips

I had the chance to see a presentation on Friday by Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis during the three-week police management program I am attending here at Boston University. Commissioner Davis noted that BPD unveiled that day a public information campaign designed to promote using text messages to report crime tips.

This concept is in response to recent media attention on efforts by local gangs to suppress "snitching" through intimidation and "stop snitching" messages. Commissioner Davis told us that Boston officers noted many people standing around a crime scene were texting on their cell phones - because they knew who had committed the crime but would not come forward with information due to fear of gangs. He asked why the police could not tap into the texting way of life by using this technology to receive crime tips.

This seems to be a great idea, though it is too soon to tell if it is really practical. We will have to check back with BPD in the future to learn if the program led to any useful tips.

Curious to hear what folks in Lakeland think about this concept. Should we implement such a program?

-Asst Chief Bill LePere