The City of Providence has launched a new, cash reward program for residents who report anonymous tips that lead to arrests and confiscation of illegal firearms. Residents can submit anonymous tips 24 hours a day by phone, text message, mobile application (available for the iPhone or Android) or online web-form.
If the tip leads to an arrest and/or the confiscation of an illegal and functional firearm, the tipster is eligible for an award of up to $1,000. Tips are completely anonymous and confidential. Individuals will be given random numbers as identifiers and will not be asked to reveal their names or other personal information.
Individuals can provide tips in several ways:
- By calling 1-855-776-7100 at any time, day or night.
- By texting the key word PPDTIP plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).
- By completing an anonymous web-form at www.crimereports.com.
- By completing an anonymous web-form via mobile app (visit TipSoft.com or search "TipSubmit" in the Android Market or iTunes App Store).
Tipsters can call back in seven business days (between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 PM Monday through Friday) to ascertain the status of their tip and receive further instructions regarding award eligibility.
Call 1-855-776-7100 to give a tip. Our lines are not configured for caller ID. Phone calls are not traced. Phone calls are not recorded. The "tipster" does not have to give his or her name. All tips are confidential. Detectives process the information and assign a tip number to the "tipster." Law enforcement agencies receive the information and investigate the information submitted by the callers; callers should check back often to see if their information qualifies for a reward.
Specific reward amounts will be determined by a review committee, chaired by Deputy Police Chief Thomas Oates. The committee will review the circumstances of each case, including but not limited to type of arrest made, number of firearms recovered, and the type of firearms recovered. Once an award amount is determined, tipsters can pick up their reward at a neutral and confidential location.
The program, a two-summer pilot program, is being funded by a generous donation from Sims Metal Management.
To download a free mobile app that will allow you to submit tips from your iPhone or Android phone, visit TipSoft.com or visit the Android Market or iTunes App Store and search TipSubmit.