Police departments in the U.S. are increasingly relying upon text message tips to catch bad guys. Boston started doing this a year ago and has received 678 tips. These tips have helped take numerous bites out of various crimes, including vandalism and murder.
One thing that concerns me is the possible abuse of such a system. Say Popular Girl A doesn’t like Popular Girl B: why not send in an anonymous tip that she’s dealing marijuana, or something else just as sinister?
As an aside, the original story quotes a girl who typically sends upwards of 6,000 text messages per month. Are you kidding me? What a horrible existence.