The University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) has been utilizing the Campus Eyes tip line to encourage students to anonymously report criminal activity around UMaine. Recently, this anonymous tip line has seen an influx of violent crime reports, which cannot be addressed properly by UMPD due to their anonymity.
A violent crime involves any activity in which a criminal is using harmful force against a victim. This term can be used to categorize sexual assault, rape, negligence and endangerment among other crimes.
While Campus Eyes is a useful resource for students anonymously reporting things like theft or dorm damage, Detective Sergeant William Flagg explains that UMPD cannot act effectively upon violent crime reports without an identifiable victim.
“Campus Eyes is a good useful tool for students… If they are reporting a violent crime they need to come see us or call us,” Flagg said. “We take the information seriously.”
The information provided in anonymous reports is usually vague, and does not provide UMPD with the proper means to combat these crimes. Flagg encourages victims to either come forward by calling UMPD, or physically reporting the crimes at their station on Rangeley Road.
