Greenwich Cops 'Like' Fighting Crime With Facebook

GREENWICH, Conn. — Facebook is becoming a crime-busting tool for the Greenwich police. Recently, a posting by detectives on the department's Facebook page led to the arrest of a Westport man accused of flashing a 12-year-old girl at the Stop & Shop on West Putnam Avenue.

“After about five days or so, a detective received an anonymous tip that was a direct result of putting out that information on Facebook,” said Detective Sgt. Pierangelo Corticelli, adding that the department’s page has nearly 300 “likes.”

In recent years, the department has used a variety of means to spread cautionary information to residents and receive tips. “We like to hit all areas of electronic media,” said Corticelli. “Obviously, a lot of general information we communicate on Facebook, but we recognize that those who are computer savvy may not want to use [Facebook], so we have the email tipline. And those who may be much older and not computer savvy at all may want to just call in an old-fashioned telephone tip.”

On average, the department receives 50 tips a week from residents, many of which have led to arrests or citations. Corticelli said technology has resulted in an increase in the number of tips. “Everyone’s got a smart phone nowadays, and it’s easy to send a quick blurb to the police department,” he said.

Corticelli stressed that the tip giver always remains anonymous. The department’s website provides a link to report criminal activity anonymously. “Whether or not you want to remain anonymous, by sending tips from the [department's] website, it gives you that ability,” he said. “The town server will keep your email anonymous and just forward the information.”

Tipsters have even thanked the police for following up. “A bicyclist at [Greenwich] Point called to thank about enforcement that was taken after sending in a tip about drivers there,” said Corticelli. “We don’t want it to take the place of calling 911 for an emergency, but I think the public pretty much knows that by now.”  

The Detective Division email Tipline address is tips@greenwichct.org. Telephone Tipline numbers are (203) 622-3333 and toll-free (800) 372-1176.

Have you used Facebook, email or the tipline to send a tip to the police department? Did you find these services useful? Comment below or email ahelhoski@thedailygreenwich.com.

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