(Undated) - Kentucky residents can now help stop crime by simply sending a text message from their phone.

The Kentucky State Police’s new "Text a Tip" program allows anyone with information on crime to text the information to 67283 from any mobile device, type KSPTIP in the message field, leave a space and then enter information about a crime. Those who submit a tip successfully will receive an instant confirmation text on their phone.

“Everywhere you go, someone has a cell phone with them,” says KSP spokesperson Sgt. Rick Saint-Blancard. “Whether a person is at home or a large venue, like a sporting event or concert, they can text a tip to us without bringing attention to themselves.”

The informant is guaranteed to be confidential. Troopers say the information is filtered through a third-party server which removes anything to identify the tipster. 

Saint-Blancard says people who live in high-crime neighborhoods are often afraid that if they are seen talking to police, they could be subject to retaliation from criminals.

"So when they have this option of texting us – knowing no one will know who they are – they are more willing to provide specific details and names about the activity,” he adds. 

Further information on the “Text a Tip” program can be found at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/pdf/text_a_tip_sheet.pdf.