GREENWICH, Conn. Facebook is becoming a crime-busting tool for the Greenwich police. Recently, a posting by detectives on the department's Facebook page led to the arrest of a Westport man accused of flashing a 12-year-old girl at the Stop & Shop on West Putnam Avenue.
After about five days or so, a detective received an anonymous tip that was a direct result of putting out that information on Facebook, said Detective Sgt. Pierangelo Corticelli, adding that the departments page has nearly 300 likes.
In recent years, the department has used a variety of means to spread cautionary information to residents and receive tips. We like to hit all areas of electronic media, said Corticelli. Obviously, a lot of general information we communicate on Facebook, but we recognize that those who are computer savvy may not want to use [Facebook], so we have the email tipline. And those who may be much older and not computer savvy at all may want to just call in an old-fashioned telephone tip.
On average, the department receives 50 tips a week from residents, many of which have led to arrests or citations. Corticelli said technology has resulted in an increase in the number of tips. Everyones got a smart phone nowadays, and its easy to send a quick blurb to the police department, he said.
Corticelli stressed that the tip giver always remains anonymous. The departments website provides a link to report criminal activity anonymously. Whether or not you want to remain anonymous, by sending tips from the [department's] website, it gives you that ability, he said. The town server will keep your email anonymous and just forward the information.
Tipsters have even thanked the police for following up. A bicyclist at [Greenwich] Point called to thank about enforcement that was taken after sending in a tip about drivers there, said Corticelli. We dont want it to take the place of calling 911 for an emergency, but I think the public pretty much knows that by now.
The Detective Division email Tipline address is tips@greenwichct.org. Telephone Tipline numbers are (203) 622-3333 and toll-free (800) 372-1176.
Have you used Facebook, email or the tipline to send a tip to the police department? Did you find these services useful? Comment below or email ahelhoski@thedailygreenwich.com.
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