California university deploys ‘TipNow’
15 June, 2009
category: Education
Santa Clara University in California has launched TipNow, a text-based anonymous reporting tool designed to increase campus security. TipNow is a tip collection and management system for anonymous tips originating from electronic mail and cell phone/personal digital assistant SMS or text messages.
The system is designed to facilitate automated notification of campus security personnel regarding non-emergency suspicious activity. The advantage of this service is its ability to encrypt the reporter’s cell phone number or email ID thereby guaranteeing the anonymity of the reporting user.
If someone has a tip about something that is happening, he or she can text [email protected]
It can be for criminal activity, a safety hazard or even something like a bike obstructing the stairs. Any questionable or suspicious activity can be reported using this system.
TipNow is the latest campus safety product from Resiligence Inc., a Silicon Valley provider of text-based security reporting programs. TipNow is offered in the Software as a Service model, which means deployment does not require any hardware installation or servicing by the user. It also allows campus safety personnel to anonymously interact with the reporter.