Modified: July 26, 2018 10:24am
THE CRIME STOPPERS BUFFALO APP: SAFER STREETS ARE JUST A CLICK AWAY
Crime Stoppers Buffalo is proud to unveil its new, free mobile app called “Buffalo Tips” that will make managing information much easier and more efficient for the crime-fighting organization.
The app was made possible through a donation of more than $10,000 from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy B. Howard. The money, which came from the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Fund, was used to purchase the Tip Management software and the Buffalo Tips mobile app.
“We are grateful to Sheriff Howard for allowing us to upgrade the process of receiving tips,” says Kevin Hoffman, Chairman of the Crime Stoppers Buffalo Board. “This will enable us to improve the flow of information and secure more arrests across the eight counties of WNY.”
“I am so pleased to provide this funding to Crime Stoppers for this new app and software,” said Sheriff Timothy B. Howard. “Crime Stoppers is such a valuable partner to area law enforcement agencies and timely tips help us solve crimes, arrest drug dealers, and bring closure to victims’ families. This new app and software can disseminate tips easier and faster which make the information that more valuable to officers.”
"Information from the public is crucial in investigating crimes, and I encourage law enforcement to embrace new technology,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn. “I applaud the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their contribution toward this new, crime-fighting tool that will hopefully generate more tips from the public and aid in our efforts to keep drug dealers and other offenders off the streets.”
The app can be used for turning in drug dealers or wanted persons and supplying tips on serious crimes. The user options on the app include submitting a tip, reviewing or updating an existing tip, calling the Crime Stoppers hotline or browsing the wanted bulletins.
The app was launched after an overwhelming public response to the March announcement of the Opiate Initiative in which Crime Stoppers Buffalo pledged to offer up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of drug dealers.
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn’s contribution of $25,000 from his Office’s Asset Forfeiture Fund, along with a match from Crime Stoppers Buffalo, is earmarked for paying out the Initiative’s reward money.
Since the Opiate Initiative began, more than 1,000 tips have come into Crime Stoppers Buffalo, most of them turning in drug dealers. As a result of the information, Crime Stoppers Buffalo has already paid out almost $5,000 in reward money on the opiate and narcotics cases.
In fact, in June of 2018, Crime Stoppers Buffalo paid out rewards totaling $6,800, the most rewards paid out for one month in the history of the Crime Stoppers Buffalo organization.
The app features premier Tip Management Software used by more than 450 different Crime Stoppers organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Users can go to the Apple App Store or Google Play to download the free Buffalo Tips app, where their tips will remain anonymous. For more information, visit crimestoppersbuffalo.com.