Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), has launched a new law enforcement app for reporting crimes and other concerns.
DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin says the Tip 411 app was developed by a company called Citizen Observer - and is used by dozens of enforcement organizations:
“Basically, it’s for people to have another platform for them to notify officers if they identify something going on that they feel that police need to be engaged with. We have three different enforcement arms of our department,” Garvin said.
Garvin says the DNREC enforcement arms are the Environmental Crimes Unit, Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police and State Parks Enforcement Officers, all working in different parts of the State.
He notes the app can be used to report with 100% anonymity.
“We just want to give people another opportunity for them to be able to engage our officers - both for informing us of things that are going on, as well as getting information. It doesn’t replace picking up the phone and dialing 911, but it does give them another way to anonymously contact our officers,” said Sec. Garvin.
Garvin also notes there were no development costs for the app, but DNREC does pay an estimated $7,000 per year to subscribe to the service.
The app is available for a free download by searching "DENRP" via the Google Store or the iTunes App Store. And for more information about the new app, click here.
To report possible crimes, DNREC’s Natural Resources Police also can be reached by phone:
· Environmental Crimes Unit Natural Resources Police: 24-hour Environmental Emergency Response Line, 800-662-8802
· Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police: Illegal hunting, fishing, or boating activities, 800-523-3336; Operation Game Theft (wildlife crimes): 800-292-3030
· State Parks Enforcement Natural Resources Police: 24-hour dispatch, 302-739-4580
