When it comes to law enforcement agencies and SMS services, there is a rich history. Most people think about emergency notification systems where amber alerts are issued. Many schools also use them as a way to inform students of situations that are currently happening on campus like suspicious persons. However, some officers get more personal and are using texts as a way to capture certain criminals.
Earlier this week, The Age Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, reported on a high speed chase that ended in an unusual fashion — with a text message. According to the article, a 22-year-old Reservoir woman was evading police at 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning. She was able to get away from authorities by running a red light.
However, that is when police sent her a text message and persuaded her to turn herself in. They obtained her number through her vehicle registration. The woman surrendered and is now being charged with reckless conduct endangering persons, evading police, driving in a dangerous manner and at dangerous speed, and other traffic offenses.
Kelly Yates, a Victoria Police spokeswoman, said that this practice is more common than most would think.
''I've seen it done before, and it's just an alternative to knocking on doors,'' she said.
This is just one example of how organizations have been able to benefit from creative uses of text messages. By partnering with an SMS service provider, any company can bring its ideas to the table and find a way to use this kind of messaging in a unique way.
