A day after unveiling the ?Text a Tip? program, Connecticut State Police are doing their best to assure residents that their tips will remain anonymous when they use the service.

Police say if the program is going to be successful in Connecticut, residents have to be confident in it.

Lt. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police explains to News 12 Connecticut that messages sent through the program go directly to Canada, where they are stripped of their identifying qualities. The tips are then sent to the state police department.

Boston has used the system for more than a year and officials say it's been very successful. This is the first time an entire state is using it.

Text tips can also be sent directly to the Bridgeport and Stamford police departments.

Text A Tip details