Got a tip about a crime? There’s an app for that

Calling in a tip to help solve a crime in Coryell County just got easier. There is an app for that.

“Once you submit your tip, you’re given your tip ID and then you can follow up, and it’s gonna ask you for your tip ID number and password,” said Officer Chris Mangham. “So, when you log in, it’ll show you new information or where your tip is at.”

Cen-Tex Crime Stoppers developed the app so county residents could submit tips anonymously through the app P3 Tips. The company hopes the app will encourage people to feel safer about sharing what they know. Tips can still be called in by calling 254-865-8477.

Crime Stoppers seeks the community’s help to share information about open cases. It is also a way for people to call in suspicious or illegal activities without divulging their identities. It was started in Gatesville almost 20 years ago. 

Reporting on the app is not limited to Coryell County. For example, Gatesville residents can call in a tip to the Copperas Cove Crime Stoppers.

Users can download the app, set up a passcode, choose the city in which they reside and choose a category to fill out an anonymous tip with as much information as they are able to give. The form allows users to submit a detailed description of the activity in question but are not required to fill out every box available.

“Don’t be afraid to use it,” said Lt. Georgiana Cleverly. “We’re just looking for information, and this makes it easier for them to tell us what’s going on.”

Cleverly said the app is designed to make the act of sending a tip a little less obvious. Calling in a tip, when the person you are calling about is standing next to you, may not be the best option. 

The app also allows users to follow up on their tip to see where it is in the process, according to Mangham.

Law enforcement authorities hope this technology will turn younger people and the hearing impaired into enthusiastic participants. 

Tips that lead to arrests will still be rewarded. The sender of the tip will be given a code through the app that the sender can take to Bancorp South (previously National United), give the code to a drive-through teller, and get the money. 

“No matter how trivial they may think it is, we can weed through that,” Mangham said. “If it’s not relevant, then it’s not relevant, but we’d rather have the information than not and miss out on a potential tip.”