Thursday, July 30, 2020 | View in browser
Evanston Police Encourages Citizens to use Text-a-Tip
 EVANSTON, IL - The Evanston Police Department would like to encourage the community to use Text-A-Tip. Text-A-Tip is an independent program that operates separate from the emergency 9-1-1 system. Text-A-Tip allows citizens the ability to anonymously submit information about criminal activity such as:
- information that assists in crime prevention
- information about ongoing investigations
- narcotics tips
- ongoing nuisance problems
To text a tip to the Evanston Police Department, you must have text messaging enabled on your cellular phone and subscribe to a participating cell phone carrier. To begin your tip message, enter the number “274637” (which spells out the word CRIMES) in the phone number line. Then start your message with "EPDTIP" (to ensure the tip is routed to the proper police department) and enter your tip with as much detail as possible.
Once you send your tip via text, the information is received by an independent party in service provider that will assign each tipster a random system-generated “alias.” The purpose of this is to ensure the anonymity of the tipster.
Tipsters will automatically receive a response text providing them their “alias.” Please be aware that the Evanston Police Department will send a response text if more information is needed to process the tip.
However, the anonymity of the tipster remains secure because the information is sent to a third party service provider that is independent of the police department. The police department will only know the tipster by their “alias.”
If the tipster does not wish to participate in two-way communication with the police department they can text the word STOP to 274637 (CRIMES.) Doing so will block the EPD from responding.
Text-A-Tip should not be utilized for emergency situations requiring immediate police response.Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies and in-progress situations. If you have a general inquiry, need a police report, or are not sure if Text-A-Tip is right for the circumstances, please call the police non-emergency number 847-866-5000.
Due to the recent fatal shootings in the city, we encourage the community to share any information that may be helpful to investigating these tragic events.
For step by step instructions please check out our brief tutorial video.
More information about Text-A-Tip is available on the City's website.
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Media Relations: Officer Enjoli Daley
edaley@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-866-5026
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