Immediate NEWS RELEASE

Tipton County, TN – DRUG FREE TIPTON Announces New tip411 Public Safety Alert System

New safety initiative allows law enforcement and public to communicate via email and text

Free app allows residents to send anonymous tips directly to police from their smartphone

Tipton County, TN - Drug Free Tipton is launching the tip411 alert system, a new interactive way to keep the community connected and informed through email, text message, and online public safety alerts. tip411 also allows the public to report crimes and other suspicious activities directly to law enforcement by sending anonymous text messages from their cell phone or via a free smartphone app.

Citizens of the community can register to receive alerts via email and/or text message to their cell phone by opting to receive neighborhood-specific orcountywide alerts about public safety issues in their area. Community members are encouraged tosign up online by visiting www.drugfreetipton.org.

The public can also share information on crimes and other suspicious activity by sending an anonymous web or text tip to police. While not a replacement for dialing 911 in an emergency, those wishing to share information anonymously with law enforcement can simply text “Tipton” and their message to 847411 (tip411) from their cellphone.

The new “TIPTON TIPS” App for iPhone and Android from tip411 enables the public to share an anonymous tip with police and lets the officers respond back creating an anonymous two-way conversation. “The App can be located in the app store of your mobile device” said Kennisha Stowe, Program Coordinator for Drug Free Tipton

The TIPTON TIPS App and tip411 anonymous text a tip system are 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before police see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender.

“We believe an informed community is a safer community,” said Robin Racine, Director of Drug Free Tipton. “The new tip411 system allows law enforcement to engage with the public and share information that will help make Tipton Countya safer place.”

 "Many times during a law enforcement response and investigation of an incident, members of the community have vital information, but may feel hesitant or afraid to come forward as a witness for fear of identification or retaliation.  tip411 will allow and encourage citizens to report suspicious activity, key information, and crucial identification of suspects in a safe, confidential, and real-time manner that will ultimately improve the likelihood of the successful and timely apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders in Tipton County.  Law enforcement professionals always tell the public, 'If you see something, say something.'  Now, with the tip411 system, Drug Free Tipton has given citizens a wonderful tool to use to do that.  I am confident that it will have a direct and positive impact on public safety in Tipton County," said D. Michael Dunavant, District Attorney General.

“This technology is another way to obtain help from our citizens in making our communities safe.  tip411 will be of great assistance to law enforcement in helping us do our job.  The Covington Police Department is proud to be involved.  We look forward to being a part of this endeavor.” said Chief Buddy Lewis, Chief of Police.

“tip411 will be an invaluable crime fighting tool here in Covington and Tipton County.  It’s a user friendly way to empower our residents to look out for one another in a safe, anonymous way.  It will also empower citizens to keep Covington and Tipton County safer!  Through the use of the phone app or with a few simple words in a text message, crimes can be reported and criminals can be arrested.  I’m so thankful to Drug Free Tipton and its staff for acquiring this tool for our citizens,” said Justin Hanson, Covington Mayor. 

“I want to thank Drug Free Tipton for their partnership in funding and launching tip411 in Tipton County.  tip411 will be a great tool for our youth and citizens to simply download the app and take ownership in making their schools and communities safer,” said Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley. “It is proven that communication between law enforcement and our citizens is vital in keeping our roadways safe, preventing and solving crime, and responding to the needs throughout Tipton County. This is an exciting way to utilize technology through tip411, which will allow real-time responses to tips and help us serve our community better,” added Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley.

“tip411 is a great vehicle to improve law enforcement’s capability to get leads about serious crimes that deal with public safety.  This technology allows our community to broaden its efforts to detect and report crime.  Great work Drug-Free Tipton!” added County Executive Jeff Huffman, Tipton County.

“We’re excited about the addition of tip411 as another tool for our community to provide information that will contribute to a safe learning environment for Tipton County students,” said Dr John Combs, Director of Instruction Tipton County Board of Education.

Those with questions, or who need help signing up for alerts, are asked to Contact Drug Free Tipton at 901.378-0545 or www.drugfreetipton.org, your local Police Department or the Tipton County Sheriff’s office.

Robin Racine
Director of Drug Free Tipton

“This project is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.”