Crime tip line discontinued by Elkhart County Sheriff's Department

Elkhart County Capt. Jim Bradberry said the reason for the discontinuing the service was because it was used sparingly, and the sheriff ’s department can request and send the same information to the public using Facebook and Twitter.

The decision took effect on Oct. 31.

The sheriff’s department has had a subscription for the Tip411 since December 2013. Eliminating the

subscription will save the county a biennial fee of $8,000, according to Bradberry.

“The sheriff is always looking for ways to connect with the communities of Elkhart County and to interact with them and to be accessible,” he said. “We’ve tried this venue thinking it might be a good tool, but the reality is with Facebook and Twitter we’re able to connect with the public without the high cost.”

Although the service is no longer being offered as connection point between the sheriff, officers and the community, Bradberry said residents can be assured that their accessibility to the officers will not be compromised.