Should Bangor Police Get Text a Tip App? [POLL]

Police departments across the state are beginning to use a new app that allows you to text an anonymous tip message to them. However, one of Maine's biggest cities is not using this app yet. But should they?

Some of the police departments currently using the TipSoft app are Old Town, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Millinocket, Dover-Foxcroft, and Dexter. So why isn't Bangor?

Bangor already has an anonymous tip line and a way to submit a police report online (using only an email address and a date of birth.) But is this app a better way to anonymously report crimes?

TipSoft is also being used across the country and is cutting down on crime with reports of abuse, drug use, underage drinking, persons with active warrants and suspended drivers on the road.

To use TipSoft you must find the department's 'Agency Keyword', for example Old Town's keyword is OTPDTIP. Using this you can:

• Download the App
• Send a standard text message with your Agency Keyword and message to 274637
• Or submit a tip through the web

The messages are anonymous because they are sent to Canada where they are encrypted and sent back to the police department through the database. Once it’s sent there then the police can communicate and all they see is the tipster.

Do you think this is something that could benefit Bangor police? Take our poll below!

To find your local department's Agency Keyword click here.