The Baltimore City Police Department has launched a mobile app to help residents engage with the department and receive important information.

The Baltimore Sun reports:

“We think that this will assist in both the crime fight and our interactions with everyday citizens,” said Police Commissioner Kevin Davis. “Our goal is to make it easy and simplistic for people to connect.”

Through the app, residents will be able to make anonymous tips, and even engage in dialogue with an officer. Davis said the app will be constantly monitored, and tips related to homicides or nonfatal shootings will be given priority.

He said tips to the department increased 174 percent in 2016 over 2015 after the launch of an anonymous text-to-tip line — 443-902-4824 — and he hopes the app will continue growing the amount of information the department receives from the community.

…

Davis said the administration of Mayor Catherine Pugh is fully behind the launch of the app and the drive toward greater transparency. He cited studies that have shown more Americans are getting more of their news from mobile phones.

For more information read The Baltimore Sun.