Police, Youth Group Promote Text-A-Tip

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Group and the teamed up yesterday at to spread the word about the city’s Text-A-Tip program.

The program allows students — or any resident — to anonymously text a tip to either Evanston police or ETHS’ safety department. This can include information about a crime that has occurred or one that is being planned.

The program began in the summer, . Thursday’s activity at the school was meant to drum up awareness and included an announcement from Cmdr. Jason Parrott after the pledge of allegiance and the distribution of bookmarks during passing periods at the school, Parrott said, both of which were coordinated by the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Group.

The Text-A-Tip system uses a third party before texts are routed to either the police or the school safety department so that anonymity is ensured during both the original text and any follow-up communication between the tipster and officers.

To send a message, text 274637 (which spells out CRIMES) and put the word EPDTIP in the message if you want to reach EPD or ETHS if you want to reach the school safety department. For more information, go to the city’s webpage on the program.