HPD launches tip app
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories
HERMISTON – The Hermiston Police Department is adding to its crime-fighting arsenal with a new app to help residents connect with the department to find information, view alerts, and submit anonymous tips from their smartphones. Developed by tip411, the Hermiston app is available at no charge from the Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or the police department’s website.
“In this day and age of technology, people would much rather spend 30 seconds to send a tidbit of information versus trying to work through a phone tree,” Police Chief Jason Edmiston said.
Using the app removes all identifying information before police see the tips. There is no way they can identify the senders who wish to remain anonymous. Edmiston said they first saw the app at an International Association of Chiefs of Police gathering and came away impressed.
Officers have been training on the app and it was released Monday. Edmiston said it also offers bilingual services if needed, and has been well received in The Dalles, where it has been in use for a while.
Those who don’t own smartphones can share information with police by sending a tip by texting keyword HPDTIP followed by the message to 847411. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the police department’s website.
