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New Crime Fighting App Unveiled for Onondaga County Residents

John Smith, WAER News

Onondaga County and State law enforcement agencies are hoping a new tip line in the form of an app will provide them with more information from the public to solve serious crimes or report suspicious activity. The app is called Tip 411. Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says the system is already in operation in about 100 areas statewide. Now people have to be empowered to use it.

“It is incumbent upon the community to have the community they want. If you want a safe community, you have the ability to do it. If you know where the drug houses are, if you know where the guns are. Even if you’re a rival gangbanger and you want to turn in your rival gangbangers, go right ahead. Tip 411 is the perfect vehicle. They’ll never know it was you.”

Fitzpatrick goes back to a tragic shooting incident last July 4th weekend at Thornden Park where he estimates 100 people were present and only a few provided information. He says investigators are at a standstill.

Credit John Smith, WAER News
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John Smith, WAER News
Here's what the communication screen of the app looks like.

“...which is a disgrace. How can you have a community with that many people who know something and nobody wants to reveal it? Well… if the motivation for not revealing the information is fear of retribution, this eliminates that. Now you don’t have an excuse because this is strictly anonymous.”

Once tipsters launch the app, they pick out which law enforcement agency they’re seeking to contact.

“So, you pick, for example, Baldwinsville Police Department. You click that. What is your tip? You type it in, you hit send. And you just standby. The officer may have some questions. He or she will acknowledge receipt of it. And probably say thank you or something. They may have more questions and you can choose to provide more information or not.”

Credit John Smith, WAER News
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John Smith, WAER News
This same text in the prior photo is received by an officer.

Fitzpatrick adds that law enforcement are looking to get leads about serious crimes that deal with public safety such as fugitives, drug operations and homeland security. The Tip 411 app can be found in the app store by searching the keyword Onondaga.
   
 

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.