Blue Springs Police Department staff. The Brand: What is It? “Text-A-Tip” is a texting service that will allow citizens to report suspected criminal activity, assist with neighborhood watch, and engage in crime prevention activities by texting and/or emailing anonymous tips from their electronic devices to the Blue Springs Police Department staff.

How Text-A-Tip Works: 1. Text “BSPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) 2. Upon receipt of a tipster’s first incoming message, the system will auto-reply with a confirmation containing their unique Tip ID. 3. To submit follow-up information, the tipster simply replies. Nothing else is needed. 4. All communications are conducted anonymously between the tipster and the Police Department. Disclaimer: Tipsters are advised to refer and adhere to State Laws regarding texting while operating a motor vehicle

How Email-A-Tip Works: 1. The email tips system works similar to the Text-A-Tip phone system. 2. Citizens can access the system at www.bluespringsgov.com/tips 3. Through the Email-A-Tip website, citizens are able to send anonymous crime tips to the Police Department by completing a short tip form. 4. As with Text-A-Tip, all communications are conducted anonymously between the tipster and the Police Department. Citizens will correspond with the Police Department through an internet connection.

Email-A-Tip: What Citizens Will See For new email tips

Benefits and Other Features: TIPs can be submitted as text messages from a cell phone TIPs can be submitted over the web from a link on the Blue Springs web page Both systems allow the Tipster or citizen to remain completely anonymous Once a TIP is received, Blue Springs Police can initiate a chat session with the tipster in real-time Photos can be uploaded with TIPS submitted via the web The web-based TIP form is multi-lingual

A Valuable Crime Prevention Tool Demonstrates that Blue Springs is looking to new and innovative ways for promoting communication between citizens and Police The Text-A-Tip system allows the Police Department to reach a certain demographic, the younger generation and student population that may not otherwise be engaged in crime prevention activities Texting and Web communications are among the fastest growing methods of communications.

Rollout Plan for Text-A-Tip Phase 1: Program Launch Presentation to City Council, TV and Web viewing audience introducing the program New Text-A-Tip banners on display All BSPD vehicles and City buildings will display the Text-A-Tip window decal City’s Text-A-Tip webpage, www.bluespringsgov.com/tips will be live on October 20, 2009

Rollout Plan for Text-A-Tip (cont.) Phase 2: Business and Civic Community Engage business and civic community to carry the Text-A-Tip brand throughout their businesses, to their employees and to their consumers Distribution of Text-A-Tip window decals, posters and logo City’s Text-A-Tip webpage, www.bluespringsgov.com/tips will be a valuable resource for businesses with questions on the functionality of the program

Rollout Plan for Text-A-Tip (cont.) Phase 3: Education and Parent Communities Engage parents, families and schools to carry the Text-a-Tip brand and support the Text-A-Tip program as an additional resource to help prevent crime in local neighborhoods and schools Distribution of Text-A-Tip window decals, posters and logo Partner with Blue Springs School District to prominently display Text-A-Tip banners during all home High School athletic games for 2009-2010. City’s Text-A-Tip webpage, www.bluespringsgov.com/tips will be a valuable resource for parents with questions on the functionality of the program

For Questions visit www.bluespringsgov.com/tips