Unified Police Department Unveils New App That Allows Users to Report Crimes, Connect to Resources
Apr 2, 2019, 5:53 PM | Updated: 8:40 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A new kind of crime fighting tool is unveiled at the Unified Police Department but it’s not some kind of weapon or machine. This one fits in the palm of your hand.
It’s called the Unified Police Department mobile app. It allows users a number of resources to report crime and connect with police officers.
“A ton of resources at your fingertips,” said Sgt. Melody Gray with UPD, who says the days of people wanting to call in are going away. “What we find is a lot of people don’t want to use those systems so this makes it easy. Everyone has a smart phone.”
The app can be found and downloaded by going to the app store and searching Unified Police Department.
Once it’s uploaded, the user can click on the link they are interested in searching, from simple contact numbers of police precincts in your area, to missing persons, to the metro gang units most wanted, to crime maps.
Some of the most exciting features for Sgt. Gray are crime tips, property logs and connecting with school resource officers at your child’s school.
Crime tips allow you to click on a pull-down menu and select the kind of crime you want to report.
There is an option to send in a photo and write out a message. You can remain anonymous or you can provide your contact information.
Once sent, it goes directly to the desk of an officer who monitors the tips.
“People know what’s going on in their neighborhoods and this is what ultimately helps fight crime and solve crime by people getting involved,” said Sgt. Gray.
The property log link allows you to take photos of valuable possessions in your home or place of business and type in a serial number.
That log is something only you can see, but then can be used to email to police or the insurance if you are robbed.
“One thing we find is that when we go on burglaries when peoples’ stuff has been stolen they don’t know their serial numbers,” said Gray.
And under the resource officers link there is a list of all the schools Unified Police patrol. Click on the school and that resource officer’s phone number and email pull up.
But with all the features, Sgt. Gray says she wants to make it very clear, this app is NOT a substitute for calling 911.
“If someone is being hurt or injured please call 911,” she said.
