Texting crime tips

Hoping to encourage tech-savvy residents to help solve crimes, the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday joined a national network that allows the public to use text-messaging to provide anonymous tips. Daily News.

And officials launched the new program with a plea for assistance on three major unsolved crimes.

Under the program, people who want to provide information on crimes, but keep their identity secret, can text to CRIMES (274637), type in LAPD and text any information they might have on a crime. They will receive a text message back that the tip was received, and they will be given an alias to use if a reward is available.