WASHINGTON – If you see something suspicious, you can now report it in many parts of the D.C. area by text message.

Police in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, Fairfax County in Virginia, and in D.C. are accepting anonymous tips from text messages.

But texting shouldn’t be used for everything.

“If you have a regular complaint, we still want you to call 911,” says D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

She adds that as much information as possible needs to be in those tips, because they are anonymous.

She says texting has led to a 300 percent more tips.

You can text D.C. Police at 50411.

Police in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Fairfax can all be texted at CRIMES (274637). In Montgomery, include “MCPD” and then your message. In Prince George’s, include “PGPD” before your message. In Fairfax, include “TIP187” before your message.

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