COLUMBUS – A new smart-phone app will allow people sending tips to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers to include photos and videos.
The organization has added technology called P3 Intel, from Texas-based Anderson Software, to provide what Crime Stoppers officials say will be a more efficient way for those who have information about a crime to contact the organization by phone or the internet from Columbus and Franklin, Fairfield, Pickaway, Delaware, Madison and Union counties.
The free P3 Tips mobile app, available for iOS and Android, will allow tipsters to send messages that have no length limitations and allows images, video and documents to be uploaded with the tip, Crime Stoppers said.
Tips were previously accepted as SMS text messages using a short code and dedicated keyword.
The group says the software’s encryption processes obscure all identifying information, enhancing the mobile tip submission process while providing assurances that tips will remain anonymous.
Without the app, tips can still be submitted from any personal computer or mobile browser by going to p3tips.com.
Tips can still be submitted to Crime Stoppers’ hotline at 614-461-8477 (614-461-TIPS).
A tipster receives a TIP ID and password which they can use to log in at p3tips.com and submit follow-up information, engage in real-time chat, be informed of the outcome of the tip and access any pertinent reward information, according to Crime Stoppers.