Cops adopt SMS tip lines to help fight crime, find out where the party is

Apparently, law enforcement is seriously stepping into the 21st century. According to a report, police dep artments in Boston, Cincinnati and over 100 other communities have begun using a text message tip-line in the hopes that cellphone-savvy youngsters will alert them if they see a crime being committed, or know of one ahead of time. "It's obvious that the future of communication is texting," said Boston Police Crime Stoppers commander (and techno-visionary) Michael Charbonnier, adding that the department's system as yielded, "Some great drug information, specific times, dates, names of suspects, locations, pickup times, [and] license plate numbers." The only roadblock? Getting cops to understand that OMG doesn't refer to a terrorist attack.

[MastrCake Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:38AM]

Sorry, LJ. You "REALLY" read that wrong.

With extra emphasis on the word "really". Which you "really" forgot to read.

But hey, if you "really" got laid last night, then congrats. I'll be sure to send you a "really" old cookie.

"Really".

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2008 2:22AM]

Oh my word. That is hilarious!
Imagine the young policeman that understands it, but he doesnt want to explain to the old seargant, who is trying to figure it out! :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 9:57AM]

Omicron Macro Gerald

[Android Overlord Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:02AM]

I tried not to laugh because of the seriuosnessesss of the post but that graphic is making me laugh so much.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 1:38PM]

All is open game here on the 'gadge!

[Rob Bourne Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:04AM]

It's a shame we can't Highly Ranked the image, it's so awesome :D

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:05AM]

"It's obvious that the future of communication is texting,"

Tell that to AT&T, who just removed SMS from the iPhone plans....

[Boh Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:22AM]

Sorry, OJ was acquitted. That means he's not guilty, not that he is innocent.

[Danakin1 Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:22AM]

people are going to have fun texting in annonymous tips now...it's gonna be worse than American Idol.

[BratPAQ Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:32AM]

i pity the desk cop who will be assigned to read every friggin' sms.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:42AM]

http://www.methtext.com

[From My Cube Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:42AM]

but are they "in"?

[The Dead Marxist Trio Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:44AM]

This is ridiculously old news. Here in boston, we've been using this system since around christmas time... Poster ads around the city have ridiculous slogans like:

'Help save an endangered species.... Young People.'

Also, it's not meant to be an 'omg i'm being killed' service, as you know, you can still make PHONE CALLS...

It's really meant for anonymous tips, as lots of people in the city are afraid to tell the cops what they know about a homicide/whatever

[iheartevo Posted Jul 3rd 2008 12:01PM]

how "anonymous" is a text that shows up with your phone number?

.......and then?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2008 2:23AM]

But... Um... You get the humour right?

[Juggernaut408 Posted Jul 3rd 2008 10:56AM]

That's why I'm a loyal Engadget fan! You guys are hilarious!

I also love the CE-OH No he didn't Posts......

Keep up the good work!!!

[Halorin Posted Jul 3rd 2008 11:56AM]

I almost spit my Vanilla Coke all over myself and my work monitor looking at that picture. That is _TIMELESS_.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 12:09PM]

When seconds count, the police are just minutes away....

[GraeNormal Posted Jul 4th 2008 1:45AM]

Some friends of mine made a funny video about something like this for a 48 hour film contest. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu1EUguVf24

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 12:32PM]

OMG Force is on the job!

www.omgforce.com

[MarqBland Posted Jul 3rd 2008 12:36PM]

I could have used this a couple of nights ago...Called 911 to report a fire via cell phone...and once they figured out which jurisdiction should respond to it (about 3 minutes of transferring between sheriff's office, police dept and 2 fire depts) then they finally sent a fire engine. (And I live in a large city...the fire was at a home that sat on the border between the city and a suburb).

It would have been great to simply text and let their asses figure out their issues w/o me being on the phone. Lol.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2008 2:26AM]

H31p. Th3 r00f/ th3 r00f. Th3 r00f 15 0n f1111r3!!!

Sorry, what jurisdiction? You'd still be waiting mate.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 12:39PM]

The OMGForce has been doing this for years. Check them out at omgforce.com!

[michaspi Posted Jul 3rd 2008 12:59PM]

The follow-up SMS would be "blarg, im ded".

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 1:18PM]

if you can't text that to "911" then it makes no sense.

'please text "help" to 9991111-33 for emergency response.'

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2008 3:01PM]

I LOL'd at the picture, then I sent it to a friend.
She LOL'd too.