Reporting suspicious activity from your phone
A twice yearly gathering for leadership from area homeowners groups in Lake Highlands, Chief Perez presented details concerning the new "I Watch Dallas" program being sponsored by the Dallas Police Department.
Billed as the "See Something, Say Something" program, police are looking for help from community members when it comes to reporting suspicious behavior and activities in areas throughout the metroplex.
For Lake Highlands, with its already strong base of crime watch groups and volunteers, consider it a virtual crime watch – complete with new iWatch mobile applications for a wide range of smart phones.
"This program will let us know what neighbors are seeing," said Chief Perez.
"Once tips are submitted through the new app, the police can act on the information quickly if warranted. We will also be able to collect that data, analyze it and further investigate criminal activity."
"This is one more step that further develops the DPD's partnership with the community."
The I Watch Dallas website has instructions, along with a video tutorial, and links for downloading the new "I Watch Dallas" application directly to your phone.
Details are encouraged when submitting tips, including the location of the suspicious activity, descriptions of the individuals involved, and any vehicular information like color, make, model or license plate numbers.
Citizens shouldn't consider this a substitute for 911 emergency calls, but as an opportunity to help solve and prevent crimes and criminal activity in our neighborhoods.
Chief Perez also referenced the program's anonymity during last night's meeting.
"This new crime tip system is completely anonymous," she said. "Whether you submit information from the Internet or a mobile phone."
For example, the iWatch application, once downloaded to an iPhone, offers users three options when reporting information:
• Send text with tip
• Send tip with photo
• Send an anonymous tip
Tips can also be reported online or by calling 214.671.4TIP.
The "I Watch Dallas" program is sponsored by the City of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department.
Thank you for making my job easier. As president of one of the LH neighborhood associations, I attended the LHAIA meeting last night. My intention today was to write an email to our members highlighting the great points about "I Watch Dallas". I was very happy to read your article before I wrote my own. It is much more interesting than mine would have been plus you saved a lot of my time:)
I have forwarded many of Lake Highlands Today's articles to our members. Thanks for keeping us informed!