The Elgin Police Department is among the most progressive in Kane County in the application of online resources to help residents stay informed and fight crime.

Among several very cool digital initiatives is crimereports.com, a map of the Elgin area that shows you where crime is happening throughout the city, almost in real time. It’s updated several times throughout the day, and you can click on any of the entry points to find detailed police reports of the incident.

As Chief Jeffrey Swoboda says on his Elgin Police Department blog, this is state-of-the-art, digital age crime fighting that supports transparency and helps the community get involved in public safety.

“We’re often asked about police activity people have seen in Elgin. We upload our calls for service to www.crimereports.com multiple times throughout the day. We invite you to check out the website. You can even set an email alert for your area(s) of interest!”

Here are a few more ways to help fight crime in a digital world, courtesy of the Elgin Police Department website.

Send Text to 847411

Anyone with a cell phone can now send an anonymous tip to the Elgin Police Department by texting 847411 and including ELGINPD in the beginning of the text, along with the message and/or tip information.

Tip411

The Elgin Police Department uses tip411, an Internet based tool that enables the public to text message an anonymous tip to the police, and allows the police to respond back, thus creating an anonymous, two-way “chat.”  This is part of a national program in which agencies in over 27 states are currently launching.  With this program, citizens are offered another outlet to play an active role in keeping their neighborhoods safe.  This process is 100 percent anonymous; the technology removes all identifying information.

Anonymous Crime Line

Elgin’s Anonymous Crime Line was established to offer citizens a safe and anonymous way to assist the police by reporting suspicious circumstances or criminal activity.

Persons with information about a crime or the whereabouts of a wanted suspect should call the 24-hour confidential tip line at (847) 695-4195 and leave a message with the information that could assist the police with their investigations. The message on the Crime Line is in English and Spanish.

You do not have to leave your name. Line tips are held in the strictest confidence. However, it is helpful if you do leave your name and phone number in the event a detective needs additional information. Again, all information is confidential and no one will ever know that you called the police.

That number again is (847) 695-4195.

Report Gang and Drug Activity Online

If you wish, you can complete an online form and press submit to send the form to the police department. You can send this form anonymously; however, if you choose, you may include your contact information. Tips that lead to significant felony arrests or the prevention of a serious crime may result in a cash award up to $1,000.

Graffiti Hotline

Elgin’s Graffiti Hotline number is (847) 931-5599. Click on Graffiti Hotline to learn more.

Crime Statistics

• 2014 Annual Crime Statistics
• 2013 Annual Crime Statistics
• 2012 Annual Crime Statistics
• 2011 Annual Crime Statistics
• 2010 Annual Crime Statistics

SOURCE: Elgin Police Department website