Wednesday, July 2, 2008 / 7:45 PM (EST)/ New Media providing Police Departments across the Nation with Innovative Crime Stopping Technology.

Police Departments across the nation now have a new crime fighting tool in their arsenal that allows tipsters to not only remain anonymous, but to remain silent while reporting vital information on criminal activity. The technology is called “Texting” and it can be done anywhere, anytime and most importantly, essentially unnoticed in most situations. Today’s mobile technology including “Qwerty” keyboards in newer cell phone models allow for quick and easy texting, especially among the already experienced texters of the younger generations.




In a story released July 2, 2008 from Associated Press titled “Police wnt u to fight crime w/txt msgs” by Mitch Stacy, “Police hope the idea helps recruit teens and 20-somethings who wouldn't normally dial a Crime Stoppers hot line to share information with authorities” (Stacy, 2008). Law enforcement agencies have always encouraged citizens to step forward a report crimes for many years. Organizations across America, like Crime Stoppers and the Neighborhood Watch Program have originated from the desire to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. In fact, part of Crime Stoppers goals includes:
• Helping Crime Stoppers be the most cost effective crime solving tool for law enforcement.
• Building a strong communications network among US Crime Stoppers programs, law enforcement, and the general public.

From an IMC perspective, texting can be a great tool for creating and maintaining long-term customer relationships. In fact, IMC is about synergy and creativity, integration and communication (Duncan, 2005). Take a look Crime Stoppers video on TipSoft Software – Anonymous TIPS Creator:



Once again, thanks for joining me this week and as always, I welcome your feedback or comments. Please feel free to visit me online at http://segment-specific-media.blogspot.com/
~Dan
Reference:

Duncan, T.R. (2005). Advertising & IMC, (2nd Ed.). McGraw-Hill Irwin, New York, N.Y.