Effective a year ago, TipNow, an online app that allows students to anonymously report crime-related tips to police officials, has set an appearance in Ventura County for community college students.

TipNow was devised by Resiligence Inc., when it was initially based in the Silicon Valley. When a tip comes in, campus security personnel receive an automated notification. It also allows campus administrators or campus safety personnel to anonymously interact with the person reporting the incident.

“We’re still putting it out there,” said Interim Chief of Police, Greg Beckley. “There isn’t a lot of activity on campus where students feel they need to report.”

However, on April 22 at 10:10 a.m., Moorpark will be conducting an “active assailant” or “shelter in place” lockdown drill. These periodic drills are required, so that the students, faculty and staff of the campus will be knowledgeable and aware of methods available for them to ensure their safety, in case we are ever faced with such an event on campus.

Communication will go out via SMS text messaging, email, and the public address system alerting the campus of the lockdown drill. Students can utilize their TipNow app to report their opinions, and other information about the drill anonymously.

“See it. Text it” is the TipNow motto, and it can be used to report crime-related instances like theft, school policy violation, alcohol anddrugs, unsafe conditions and suspicious activity using messaging and photos anonymously.

Officials hope the ability to report things anonymously will bring a higher level of safety and security to college campuses.