CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) introduced a new program Tuesday that allows the community to text or submit anonymous tips online. Nixle has been used by the CCSO for the last two years to send alerts to the community. The CCSO said the public can now submit anonymous tips using the program.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Matt Gentry explained, “One of the things that we deal with today is media information and one of the ways we believe in staying connected is by that personal contact. That’s why we do things like community meetings and we are out in the community seeing people because that’s a flow of information.”
Gentry said that by upgrading the Nixle program and adding the tip capabilities, “We can build that base of information flow.”
“You can give us information and that’s an anonymous tip because a lot of people are nervous to give information, whether it’s on a drug dealer, someone who is breaking into homes or someone that’s abusing children. So, we want to make it as easy and painless for that person as we can.”
Tips can be sent via text or through the Nixle tip link on the CCSO website at https://local.nixle.com/tip/cullman-county-sheriffs-office/.
To access Nixle, text 25SHERIFF to 888777 and choose the OPT IN box. This will allow you to receive messages on your phone regarding severe weather, criminal activity, traffic hazards, missing persons and local events. You will receive a message, then reply 35055 to start receiving alerts.
To text an anonymous tip, type TIP followed by the information you would like to convey to law enforcement and send to 888777. Law enforcement can communicate back and forth via text message with no knowledge of your identity.
Gentry clarified, “If you have something that is an active crime that is happening against you, this is not the method that you want to go. We want you to call 911. We want you calling us directly in those active situations. Nixle is a program used for information flow not an active situation for something of violence is happening against you. But if you are out in the community and you see somebody that is doing something bad like breaking into houses and stealing, and you want to remain anonymous and pass that information along- this is one way you can do it.”
Gentry said city residents can also submit tips.
“We work hand-in-hand with the city and we will help take care of it,” he said.
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