No-So-Anonymous Tip Lines
Posted: Tuesday, November 16, 2010
by Terry Mitchell
http://commenterry.blogs.com
Many police departments across the U.S. encourage local citizens to utilize their anonymous tip lines to provide information about unresolved crimes as well as to report the whereabouts of wanted suspects or fugitives. They stress the anonymity of this service as a reason not to hesitate to use it. They know that there are lots people out there who either don't want to get involved in crime fighting and/or do not wish to testify in court, for fear of reprisal from the perpetrators.
That's something to think seriously about the next time you consider phoning in an "anonymous" tip.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Haven't heard of this incident, but I have heard of Fortune 500 companies with their anonymous tip lines having all kinds of devices to track who is making the call. I've also seen one of those "apply for a job over the phone" systems where, after you enter your social security number, it is checked against a database of people who have ever worked for a union. If they get a match, you'll never get a call back, no matter how qualified for the job.Bruce, thanks for providing the comments/additional information on this issue. As you pointed out, today's lack of privacy and anonymity applies to the corporate world as well.
I, therefore, do not do anything anonymously....I think that anonymous can also mean that law enforcment does not use the tip openly in any connection with a judgment against a person or crime. The only thing to worry about in this case, would be dirty cops. I am also thinking that a *67 cannot be unfragmented unless by the phone company.Suzy, thanks for reading and commenting. You make some interesting points.
What a revolting thing to do. How was he discovered, though?Jennifer, I'm not sure how he was discovered. They didn't disclose that information. That's the scary part. They can find out who you are if they want, and they won't tell you how they can find that out.
Maybe the public needs to question what they mean by 'Anonymous'. Does that mean that the police don't know who's calling, or that they know, but promise not to divulge the information. I figure it must be the second one.David, I've always taken it to mean the former - until now. But it must mean the latter, although most police departments fail to explain that.
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