Reporting crime to the West Haven Police Department has never been easier.
You still have to use your phone to report something but you don’t have to dial in.
The department is one of three police departments in the state that use the MyPD app. The other departments are Greenwich and Westport.
“It does break down the barriers of someone who doesn’t want to see a police officer or talk to a police officer. They feel a little more free,” said Officer Bret Schneider with the West Haven Police Department.
Using the app is simple. You download it to your smart phone. You can submit a tip, choose a topic, provide some background information and then send it in.
“For example, blight, somebody has garbage spewing all over their yards, pools, somebody has the dark water in it and you have kids in there and they’re worried about that,” said Officer Schneider.
Once the tip is submitted it’s emailed to an officer working that beat who will respond within 24 hours.
Police urge citizens to call 911 for a major crime and use the app for smaller problems.
Officer Schneider said the department is using the app as an added way to fight crime.
“We’re trying to keep up with the technology nowadays, and that seems to be one of the newer ways of doing it.”