Evanston police encourage ETHS teens to text crime tips

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Updated: February 16, 2012 3:11PM

Evanston police are encouraging Evanston Township High School students to use the text-messaging features on their cell phones to report illegal activity in and around the school campus or rumored reports of planned incidents before they occur.

Police Thursday launched the Text-a-Tip campaign with Evanston Township High School. The event was coordinated through the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Group.

Tips regarding criminal offenses that have occurred, or may be planned, can be sent to the Evanston Police Department by sending a text message to the number 274637, which spells out the word CRIMES on the cell phone.

Tipsters should add the word EPDTIP in the message line, followed by as much detailed information as possible about the crime.

Police stress that text-a-tip is an anonymous reporting system and third-party carriers handle the information before it reaches police or the Evanston Township High School Safety Department.

The tipster’s anonymity remains intact even if follow-up conversations take place between police and the reporter.

Evanston Township High School students and faculty also may utilize Text-a-Tip to communicate with high school safety personnel. Information may be reported using the same number, 274637, adding the word ETHS to the message line.

Text-a-Tip is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Police remind the public the program is not meant for emergency situations. All emergencies should be reported by calling 911.

Further information is available at http://cityofevanston.org/police/text-a-tip/