Law enforcement agencies should do everything they can to entice the average citizen’s cooperation in fighting crime. In this respect, they’re following the lead of savvy marketers—by using proactive SMS campaigns.

A recent story from the San Jose Mercury News shows that text-messaging is so ubiquitous, so natural of an activity, that it can be applied to serious situations as well as more frivolous ones. The newspaper reports a new trend among law enforcement and legal vigilantes: Using SMS to report crime tips.

Already, more than 30 U.S. metropolitan areas are using, or will soon use, tip-texting, according to Kevin Anderson, whose company makes the TipSoft SMS software behind these anti-crime programs. Officials especially hope to court teens and young adults who witness or have information about illegal activity.

(more…)