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Text messaging can give the 411 to police tip lines

For years, the LAPD has received crime tips from nervous callers hoping to remain anonymous as they fumble through intimidating one-on-one Q&As with police tip-takers.

But in a bid to get more young people to come forward with information to help snare bad guys, the LAPD could join a growing number of law enforcement agencies that are encouraging people to text-message tips via cell phones.

Soon, Los Angeles police could be deciphering digital missives like "Mike Smith nos 411 bout 211 @ 711" - text talk for "Mike Smith has information about the armed robbery at the 7-Eleven."

"It's a good deal because the younger generation is very text-savvy," said Lt. Mathew St. Pierre, head of the LAPD's investigative analysis section.

St. Pierre, whose unit looks at what technologies are best suited for the department, said it's considering setting up a text and online tip service, but there are no immediate plans to do so   Read Full Article...