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Chicago, IL — At a special meeting dubbed "Lincoln Park/Lakeview Safe and Sound" Thursday evening at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, Deputy Chief James Keating of the Chicago Police Department's (CPD) Central Control Group strongly advocated anonymous texting of suspicious activity to the police.

Titled "TXT2TIP", the program offers citizens an alternative to a voice call to police when activity in a neighborhood needs to be brought to police attention, but does not warrant 911. It was stressed that if a crime is in progress or if there is an emergency, texting is not an alternative to dialing 911.

"We want to know what's going on." Keating said. "We want information on every type of crime."

The texting program offers persons who might otherwise be reluctant to call in possible crime information to do so knowing that their complaint is confidential.

Concern in the Boystown neighborhood about loitering and vandalism could be a highly functional venue for the city's TXT2TIP program. Knowing that a complaint, tip, or report of suspicious activity could be quickly and concisely reported to police via a text message, without repercussion to the sender, could lead to a far greater awareness on the part of law enforcement as to the significance of this worry by residents, merchants and visitors.

Text messages to the Chicago Police Department should be sent to "CRIMES" (274637), enter the word "CPD" and type your complaint in the remainder of the message. The process is simple and fully explained at the CPD website: https://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath/Communities/Crime%20Prevention/TXT2TIP-Brochure.pdf

The primary focus of the meeting was to talk about street safety and self defense. The Lincoln Park gathering was attended by about 75 residents, more than a dozen CPD officials including Area 3's Deputy Chief Bruce Rottner and Detective Commander Gary Yamashiroya (former 23rd TownHall district commander), Aldermen Vi Daley (D-43th Ward) and Tom Tunney (D-44th Ward), Vernita Gray of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, representatives of the Guardian Angels of Chicago and a large contingent of the media.

No new information was provided as to suspects or conclusions in the recent robbery and assault cases occurring in Lincoln Park and Lakeview.

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