New service allows citizens to anonymously submit tips

WALWORTH CO. (WITI) -- Walworth County investigators are hoping a new technology, called TipSoft, will ease the concerns of those with helpful information in one particular cold case to step forward. The service allows citizens the ability to share information without being identifiable by authorities.

For the past three years Detective Rob Craig has continued three decades of investigation into the 1982 disappearance of Barbara Nelson. Five days after she went missing from Dane County, Nelson's body was discovered in Walworth County.

"One of our biggest issues that we try to focus on is bringing closure to this case, not just for the family, but for the community," said Detective Craig. "Even pointing us in the right direction is helpful, especially in a 30-year-old case."

Detective Craig says the community could be holding key clues, which are difficult to come by and hopes the newly acquired TipSoft confidential tip-sharing service will prompt people to come forward.

"We've had phone calls start and then, as the got into it, hang up the phone because now they realize that they're talking to someone and, even though it's all confidential and anonymous, that person they're talking to knows the information and they're afraid they're getting traced," said Detective Craig. "What TipSoft does is it allows two new means of submitting a tip. You can either text a tip or email a tip."

The submitted tip goes directly to the TipSoft company in Canada where it is assigned a PIN. The PIN is the only identifiable information given to the Sheriff's Office and can not be used to identify the person providing the tip.

Deputies say the technology is already encouraging people to come forward. In just a month of providing the service, the department has almost tripled the number of tips they receive.

CLICK HERE for more information or to share a tip.