Nassau Crime Stoppers smartphone app debuts

The public in Nassau County can now anonymously give a crime tip through text messages via a new Crime Stoppers smartphone app, officials said Tuesday.

"With expansion of the . . . program, we enhance our abilities and make it easier for residents to share information with law enforcement officials so that we can solve crimes using the latest technology," County Executive Edward Mangano said at police headquarters in Mineola.

The Nassau County Mobile Crime Stopper Application is available free for Android, iOS, Windows and most smartphones from the last two years, police said. It can be downloaded by searching for Nassau County, Nassau Police or NY Crime Stoppers.

Until Tuesday, the Crime Stoppers program relied on its hotline.

The app includes photos and information about crimes with which people might have some knowledge. Visitors also can tap a button and see photos of the most wanted criminals or photos or descriptions of people wanted for questioning, police said. Phone users can send information anonymously by text, telephone or by submitting a tip form, all by tapping a button on the app. If the information leads to an arrest, the tipster is eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.

Police Commissioner Thomas Dale said no tipster has been or will be "forced to testify at a trial," although some have testified voluntarily.

Suffolk County doesn't have a similar app, but Vanessa Baird-Streeter, a spokeswoman for County Executive Steve Bellone, said to report a crime, call 800-220-8477 or text "SCPD" and your message to CRIMES (274637) or visit tipsubmit.com. Suffolk tipsters are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 for tips resulting in an arrest.