From WVLT:

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Law enforcement in Blount County created a program to fight crime through a teen’s love of texting.

Starting Monday, students at William Blount, Alcoa, Maryville and Heritage high schools can send anonymous crime tips via text.

Students will text their school code to 274-637 or “CRIMES.” Once the 911 center receives the alert, they will type a message back and ask the tipster questions regarding the situation.

The program is already getting positive feedback from students.

“We have a lot of drug use going on at school and a lot of students know about it and they’re afraid to tell,” Oliva Crowe, a William Blount High School senior, said. “A lot of students are really concerned about other students home lives. And that’s helpful too, because you don’t want to get parents involved.”

The Sheriff’s Department plans to extend the program to Blount Co. middle schools later in the year.

Link to WVLT : http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/83281202.html#

CNN Money has put out a list of “America’s Biggest Rip-offs". Number one is text messaging with a 6,500% markup. LINK

Didn’t the County Commission fund the SRO program an additional $1.2 million so they could be on all campuses? Don’t the county schools have shop classes?

Would it not be cheaper to make an anonymous drop box, one that could be checked frequently by the SRO we’ve paid to be there?

This would not only save parents money, it would also help kids who want to tell on somebody but don’t have a cell phone or text package.

Not to mention what could be saved to the taxpayer. After all, we are getting the bill for this program.