This week, I helped the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers kick off its annual conference. The association is such an important partner in our efforts to encourage citizens to engage with law enforcement to build safer communities.

Through our work with Crime Stoppers, we have made innovative changes and streamlined services to make it easier and more enticing for Floridians to help solve crimes.

Last year, we nearly doubled the amount of reward money for tipsters who provide information that leads to an arrest in a homicide case. We also enhanced the Crime Stoppers app that allows two-way anonymous communication with Crime Stoppers through text messaging and image sharing.

To further streamline the reporting process, we created the first-of-its-kind statewide tip line: **TIPS. Now, anyone can send anonymous information from anywhere in the state by simply dialing six buttons on a cellphone (**8477). Crime Stoppers USA recently adopted our program and put it to use nationwide!

Enlisting citizens in the fight against crime not only increases public safety, but it also empowers community members. We know that law enforcement can’t be everywhere, and that is why it is important that citizens share what they know.

Working with Crime Stoppers, we have made anonymous reporting easier than ever before and that is helping us solve crimes, save lives and build a Stronger, Safer Florida.