College students can benefit from HPD’s anonymous tip service

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The Harrisonburg Police Department recently launched a mobile app and anonymous tip service, called Tip411, to help residents connect with the department and report potential crimes. As the school year approaches, police say the services can be useful tools for college students.

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, or RAINN, 50% of college sexual assaults occur between August and September. Reporting a crime can be scary for survivors, but the app will allow them to do so anonymously and without fear of repercussions.

”I think it’s very important that residents and students alike have a great relationship with the police department,” said Lieutenant Chris Monahan with the Harrisonburg Police Department, “By allowing this open dialogue through the mobile app anonymously, I think it helps build that trust “

Monahan said the services allow users to communicate with officers directly.