Bismarck Police To Launch New Anonymous Text Tip System
Bismarck Police Department is making some big changes for the new year. Crime Stoppers is out, and a new, anonymous text tip system will take its place.
The new system, Tip411 will be used starting January 1st.
Tip411 allows users to text the police department, and officers can actually respond. So you can have a back and forth conversation, anonymously, to explain what youve witnessed.
You can even attach photos or video to your tip.
Bismarck Police Department Officer Lynn Wanner adds, Because were making it a lot easier for people to use, especially on the go I mean if theyre out somewhere and they see something its much easier to text in a tip while its going on, rather than having to make a phone call or wait to get back and get on a website and use it. So, were hoping this really increases the amount of tips that come in that are useful to us.
The text exchange works on the app, or you can text directly to the Tip411 number: 847-411. Start your message with keyword BISPD.
Search Bismarck PD in the App Store or the Google Play Store. Its available today.
What To Include In Your Tip
Any information you can provide to the authorities that will prevent further drug activity is absolutely helpful. The following are a few details that will ensure your anonymous tip is as effective as possible. If you have the information, try to include:
- The address where you suspect drug activity.
- Full names of the people you suspect.
- Related vehiclesmake, model, license plate.
- When people come and go, how long they stay, how often they appear.
- Information about any packages being exchanged.
- If the location is a house, provide the name of people living there.
- Are there children? Dogs?
How Do I Report Immigration Fraud
Call the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-Free Line at 1-888-502-9060 to report:
- suspicious activity at the border
- a marriage of convenience
- a person who has given false information on any immigration application or
- a person wanted on an immigration warrant
What you tell the tip line is private. Your identity stays protected.
Don’t Miss: How To Obtain A Police Report In Massachusetts
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Or Neglect By Telephone
Are Police Reports Public

Police Reports. Police investigate crimes and arrest people, but they do not charge people with crimes. Police records thus are not part of the court system, and documents like arrest reports or crime/incident reports kept at police departments are not presumed to be open to the public as court records are.
Don’t Miss: How Can I Get A Copy Of My Police Report
Who Can Call To Submit An Anonymous Tip
Anyone who knows something about a crime can submit a tip. You may know the person involved, have overheard something you shouldnt, seen something and dont know what to do. Whatever the case may be, you know something about a crime or a criminal, so tell us what you know, not who you are. It does not have to be part of an ongoing investigation or a crime we are featuring. Know something? Submit a tip online.
THE CRIME STOPPERS PROMISE OF ANONYMITY:WHAT TIPSTERS NEED TO KNOW
- A call to Crime Stoppers made with the intention of furthering criminal activity or interfering with the administration of justice. A party who is guilty of a crime cannot use Crime Stoppers to try to divert the blame onto someone else. Crime Stoppers cannot be used to try to frame an innocent person.
- There is evidence that disclosure of some or all of a tip is necessary to establish someones innocence.
- A tipster having received the benefit of full legal advice may, for his or her own reasons, elect to waive the privilege.
For a fuller explanation of these principles, read and understand the What Tipsters Need to Know on the Canadian Crime Stoppers website.
If My Tip Receives A Reward How Do I Pick It Up
Crime Stoppers works with ATB Financial to distribute the tip rewards. If your tip received a reward, you will be able to choose any ATB branch in Alberta to pick up your reward. The branch will prepare an unmarked envelope with cash. You can walk into the branch, simply provide your tipster number, and walk out with the money. Your tipster number is the only information they ask for another reason why it is important to keep this number secret so that no one else can pick up your reward.
Crime Stoppers has a charitable office and uses Social Media to share information. Tips provided through any of these channels WILL NOT be anonymous and WILL NOT be passed along through regular Crime Stoppers channels. Individuals wishing to become anonymous tipsters must use one of the methods mentioned above.
Read Also: Can You Look Up Police Reports Online
How To Call The Police Anonymously
RUTH DE JAUREGUI
Remaining anonymous in our digital world isn’t easy, especially when you have to call the police. Whether you’re reporting a crime in progress, a meth house down the block, or a case of suspected child abuse, you might not want anyone to know that you were the one who did the right thing.
Explore this article
How You Can Help
In an emergency, call Triple Zero “000” for attendance by police, fire or ambulance.
For police assistance where there is no immediate danger or to report non-urgent crime call 131 444.
If you have information about illegal activity or suspected perpetrators relating to crime anywhere in Australia, you can help by providing information to Crime Stoppers. To provide your information phone the toll free number 1800 333 000.
You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless
Speak Up: How To Safely And Anonymously Report Drug Activity
Davids new neighbor, Jeff, is selling drugs and hes worried about what it will do to the neighborhood. David fears for the safety of not only his kids but all the children on the block. He wants to do somethinghe wants to put a stop to the drug activity before it gets any worse. But hes scared to call the police and report his neighbor. What if Jeff finds out who reported him? Will his life be in danger? Would his wife be in danger? What about his young children?
In fear of what might happen, David remains silent.
Lisa has watched the park near her house turn into a meeting place for drug dealers and buyers. Shes pretty sure they are selling heroin there are plenty of used syringes littering the park. She would call the police, but shes afraid of what might happen. After all, she isnt completely innocentshe occasionally smokes marijuana. And working two jobs means she occasionally has to leave her 11-year-old home alone for a while. If she reaches out to the police, will they believe her? Will they dig into her past and investigate her?
Lisa decides its better not to get involved she just cant risk it.
Can Police Search A House Based On An Anonymous Tip
Police must obtain a warrant to search a house. An anonymous tip, standing alone, does not provide the necessary probable cause for the issuance of a warrant.
The affidavit for a search warrant must include:
- sufficient information to conclude that the informant is honest, and/or
- facts indicating that the information is reliable along with the basis of the informers knowledge.
The anonymous informant must actually witness the alleged criminal activity.
For example:
A tip by an anonymous informant that there was heavy foot traffic at a persons residence, by itself, is not sufficient to establish probable cause. See Bailey v. Superior Court 11 Cal. App. 4th 1107.
Please note there are exceptions to the search warrant requirement for a house or vehicle:
- exigent circumstances,
- search incident to a lawful arrest,
- consent,
Don’t Miss: How To Become A Police Captain
Am I Really Anonymous
We do everything we can to protect your anonymity because we know that by disclosing important information about a crime, having your identity revealed might put you at risk. The only time your anonymity may be open to challenge is in the following situations:
- A call to Crime Stoppers made with the intention of furthering criminal activity or interfering with the administration of justice. A party who is guilty of a crime cannot use Crime Stoppers to try to divert the blame onto someone else. Crime Stoppers cannot be used to try to frame an innocent person.
- There is evidence that disclosure of some or all of a tip is necessary to establish someones innocence.
- A tipster having received the benefit of full legal advice may, for his or her own reasons, elect to waive the privilege.
A full and more detailed explanation of these principles can be found on the Canadian Crime Stoppers website.
Can Police Stop A Car Based On An Anonymous Tip

Police must have probable cause or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to stop a motor vehicle. Sometimes an anonymous tip can be sufficient.
The justification for the stop or detention by police must include:
- specific and articulable facts which support the intrusion,
- based upon the totality of the circumstances.
Courts will look at the of the information that police are relying on:
- is it confirmed or verified by the police?
- is it reliable?
For example:
An anonymous 911 caller told police that a truck had run her off the road. The caller provided the vehicle description and license plate number. Officers quickly located and stopped the truck. The officers smelled marijuana, searched the vehicle and found 30 pounds of the drug. The court ruled that based upon the totality of the circumstances, the officers had reasonable suspicion to think the driver might be intoxicated and could stop the vehicle to confirm. See Navarette v. California 572 U.S. 393.
An investigative detention is illegal if it is based on only one insufficient factor, such as:
- curiosity, rumor, or a hunch
- race or sex of the suspect
- suspects presence in a high-crime area or
- a persons nervous behavior.
You May Like: How To Become Undercover Police
Can Police Act On An Anonymous Tip
Yes. Police can act on anonymous tips if they follow the rules, laws, and procedures that have developed in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.
Police contact with people usually occurs:
- on public streets,
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons and houses against unreasonable searches and seizures, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
A police officer may, in appropriate circumstances, approach a person for purposes of investigating possibly criminal behavior.
An investigative detention without a warrant must be based on a reasonable suspicion that:
The justification for the stop or detention by police must include:
- Specific and articulable facts which support the police intrusion,
- Based upon the totality of the circumstances.
If police are acting on an anonymous tip, courts will consider whether:
- Police have confirmed or verified the information,
- If the information is specific and/or reliable,
For example: Did the tip include the make, model, and license plate of a suspects vehicle?
If police exceed their authority in stopping, detaining or arresting:
- Evidence can be suppressed or thrown out, and
- a criminal case could be dismissed.
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Or Neglect In Writing
Read Also: How To Get A Police Record Expunged
The Anonymous Reporting Line
The anonymous reporting line, 794-5824, is provided as a resource for those wishing to report crimes anonymously.
If you choose to report anonymously, you must leave specific details in order for UCPD to investigate the crime. Provide details to the best of your ability to the following questions:
- What happened? What did you see? What appears suspicious to you?
- Where exactly did the incident occur? Include streets, building and room/area.
- Did the suspect have any weapons?
- What did the suspect say?
- Where and when was the suspect last seen?
- Which direction was the suspect headed?
- Was the suspect on foot or in a vehicle?
- What did the suspect look like? Describe each suspect one at a time.
- Gender
- Was the suspect carrying anything?
- Vehicle Description, Color, Make, Model, License Plate
After a message is retrieved from the anonymous reporting line, the information is forwarded to the appropriate person.
Submit Anonymous Crime Tips
Welcome to the Worcester Police Department’s Anonymous Crime Tips Notification System. You may submit information regarding a crime that has taken place recently within the City of Worcester, MA.
If you see a crime in progress or need to report an emergency, please call 911.
Crime tip services are for non-emergency investigative information only and will not generate a radio call or summon the police to your location.
Please review the “Have a Question?” section at the bottom of the page for further information.
You May Like: How To Become A Police Officer In Los Angeles
Police Reveal Crucial Tip From Member Of The Public That Helped Find Cleo Smith
Something didn’t seem right when a man was spotted buying nappies
An anonymous tip-off helped Australian police rescue a little girl who had been missing for nearly a month.
Four-year-old Cleo Smith is safe and well after a late night break-in from police officials overnight of a house.
She had been missing since October 16.
A 36-year-old local man was arrested after the raid, which followed a tip to police on Tuesday.
Neighbours said they became suspicious after the suspect, described as a loner, was spotted returning home with nappies.
One of them told Seven News she became suspicious after seeing the suspect buying Kimbies nappies from a supermarket.
The other day, I think it was Monday, we saw him in Woolworths buying nappies but we didnt click on who it was or what he was buying them for, she said.
Until now.
Another neighbour described him as a loner who kept to himself, and was not the type to stop and talk to others who lived on the street.
Former friends say the man had not long been freed from jail. His grandmother raised him… but after she died a year or so ago, nobody went over to to him, the man said.
Detectives had previously said they believed Cleo had been abducted.
Deputy commissioner Col Blanch said: Its my privilege to announce that in the early hours of this morning, the Western Australia police force rescued Cleo Smith. Cleo is alive and well.
Read More
Submit A Tip Online Here
Once a tip has been received it will be sent to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the reported crime. The agency will investigate the tip and report back the outcome of the investigation to our administrative office in Southfield, Michigan.
You can follow up on your tip by calling our administrative office on specified days. The phone number to call when following up on a tip is 313-922-5000. The hours to call our main office for follow-ups are: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. 3 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 p.m. 5 p.m.
If your tip leads to an arrest, you will be eligible for a reward of up to $2,500. Rewards are processed once a month. If you are eligible for a reward, we have partnered with local banks that will disburse the reward in cash. No identification is needed, and you will only need your tip reference number and the amount of the reward to get paid.
Read Also: How To Get A Police Clearance Letter