During this holiday season the Benton Police Department would like to take the time to remind our citizens about existing crime fighting tools they have available and to mention some new ones. 

    One feature is a program called Crime Reports.  This program is paid for entirely by the police department and it allows our citizen’s to find crime information for their neighborhood.  The crime information is usually available within 24 hours of a crime occurring and it empowers neighborhood watch groups with the ability to monitor what’s occurring near them.  Please go to www.crimereports.com for more information. 

    Another program that is endorsed by the Benton Police Department is the Wireless Amber Alert system.  This program allows cell phone users to sign up for free text alerts anytime a child is missing in their area.  There is no cost for the texts and users are allowed to designate the area they wish to receive alerts from.  Statistics show that the first three hours after abduction are crucial and this empowers everyone to play a part in the safe recovery of the child.  For more information visit: www.wirelessamberalerts.org   

    With recent news about residential burglaries the importance of keeping a home inventory is paramount.  A new program being offered through Lead Online is called Report It, which is a citizen property inventory system.  Report It provides citizens with a system for maintaining secure records online of property they own.  You can upload pictures of your property and log serial numbers to a profile that is accessible only to you by creating an account.  In the event your items are stolen or if there is a fire you can easily provide the police department and your insurance agent with an itemized list of property.  For more information or to sign up visit:  www.leadonline.com and click on the Report It tab. 

    Starting next year we will be launching a new crime fighting tool called TipSoft, which utilizes anonymous text messaging.  This is a Text-a-Tip application which allows tipsters to anonymously submit information to us immediately.  When you sign up you are given a Tipster Alias which allows for anonymous two-way texting to the police department.  By utilizing texting technology that a vast majority of the population uses it will give us another avenue of obtaining crime information from our citizens.  TipSoft is scheduled to launch during the first part of 2012 with further details to follow. 

    Information on these programs and other are always available to our citizens at: www.bentonpolice.org or by calling the department at 778-1171.  It’s our desire that by utilizing the latest technology available it will enable our citizen’s to help protect themselves, their families, and property.  Be safe out there.