You can text tips to crash investigators
EUGENE, Ore. -- If you send tons of text messages and rarely make phone calls, Eugene Police Department investigators are reaching out to you.
Officer Michael Klews asks witnesses of the fatal crash on West 11th Avenue and Bertelsen Road to call or text message him with information about the crash, the suspect or the vehicles before the crash occurred.
According to EPD spokesperon Jenna LaBounty and Lt. Tony Baker, this is the first time an officer has accepted tips via text message.
Baker said it's an attempt to reach out to the generation that relies primarily on text messages to communicate.
"It'd be just another tip," said Baker. "We'd follow up on it. Hopefully when we respond, people will say yeah, I'll give you a call. They can talk by voice and meet in person."
Other police departments across the country are inviting text message tips to solve crimes. Many in larger cities, like Boston, use technology to make the texting anonymous. EPD does not have the technology.
Call or text Klews at (541) 359-6654.
Sgt. John Umenhoffer, with the Springfield Police Department, says the agency does not currently accept text message tips. He said the department is considering new developments in technology, such as writing electronic crime reports in thre field.
John Miller, with the Lane County Sheriff's Office, says they have no plans to accept text message tips.
