Spokane Police urge greater use of tip line

The Spokane Police Department is stepping up efforts to encourage residents to be proactive in fighting neighborhood crime by calling or emailing its tip line. The phone number to call is (509) 242-TIPS (3877), or the email is spdtipline@spokanepolice.org. Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said those who call can leave a message and an officer will call back to verify information and forward the complaint to the appropriate department within 24 hours. That means the person reporting the complaint must provide their basic information, she said, but after that can remain anonymous. DeRuwe said the tip line should not be used in an emergency. To get an immediate response, callers should still use 911. “The intent is to provide our citizens the opportunity to anonymously relay information about possible drug or gang activity as well as nuisance houses,” a news release from the department said.