MONROE - Transforming from a telephone-only service to a multi-platform digital one has been the trend for Green County Crime Stoppers. As part of that, the crime-prevention group has implemented a new program called TipSoft, which allows information to be sent to Crime Stoppers via text messaging or e-mail.
The TipSoft program started in May 2010, and officials report that it has been a productive addition to their service.
"Even in a year, there is more (tips)," Green County deputy Pam Tourdot said. "We have received a lot more by e-mail and text messages."
The number of tips, Tourdot said, already doubled since last year. Tipsters will continue to remain anonymous.
Once a tipster sets up a meeting for a pay out, a member from the board will meet the tipster. The member board will not be from the same area as the tipster.
Tourdot said Janesville Police Department did a presentation on the program to the Crime Stoppers Board, which researched the idea and implemented it.
Then Crime Stoppers updated its web site to allow the text messages and e-mails to arrive automatically.
Recently, Crime Stoppers also added the Quick 50 program to area schools.
The Quick 50 program, officials say, is intended to help eliminate weapons, drugs and alcohol from schools - and is focused primarily on the middle and high school levels.
Crime Stoppers and Quick 50 programs pay tipsters upon recovery of stolen goods or weapons, drugs or alcohol; and when arrests made.
Crime Stoppers has been in Green County since June 1985.
With all the tips that have been received, Crime Stoppers has paid over $27,000 to tipsters, officials said.
Green County Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit organization that operates on donations and is staffed by volunteers from area communities.
For more information, contact Tourdot at (608) 328-9632, or visit www.greencountycrimestoppers.com.
The TipSoft program started in May 2010, and officials report that it has been a productive addition to their service.
"Even in a year, there is more (tips)," Green County deputy Pam Tourdot said. "We have received a lot more by e-mail and text messages."
The number of tips, Tourdot said, already doubled since last year. Tipsters will continue to remain anonymous.
Once a tipster sets up a meeting for a pay out, a member from the board will meet the tipster. The member board will not be from the same area as the tipster.
Tourdot said Janesville Police Department did a presentation on the program to the Crime Stoppers Board, which researched the idea and implemented it.
Then Crime Stoppers updated its web site to allow the text messages and e-mails to arrive automatically.
Recently, Crime Stoppers also added the Quick 50 program to area schools.
The Quick 50 program, officials say, is intended to help eliminate weapons, drugs and alcohol from schools - and is focused primarily on the middle and high school levels.
Crime Stoppers and Quick 50 programs pay tipsters upon recovery of stolen goods or weapons, drugs or alcohol; and when arrests made.
Crime Stoppers has been in Green County since June 1985.
With all the tips that have been received, Crime Stoppers has paid over $27,000 to tipsters, officials said.
Green County Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit organization that operates on donations and is staffed by volunteers from area communities.
For more information, contact Tourdot at (608) 328-9632, or visit www.greencountycrimestoppers.com.