TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Vigo County law enforcement have a new weapon to fight crime.

For years, Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers has helped the Valley capture the area`s most wanted.

Now, they`re getting an upgrade. You can now text message your tips completely anonymously.

Here are the steps:

• First send your tip to the number 274637 or "CRIMES"
• As you`re writing your tip, you have to put in the letters, W-V-C-S for Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers.
• They you`ll get a confirmation text back from the system.
• A few minutes later, you should get another text, with an official replying to your message.
• You can continue your correspondence as you would any texting conversation.
• Once you`d like to end your conversation, text the word "STOP" to the same number.

That`s all there is to it.

Sheriff Greg Ewing is one of only two people that gets your tips.

When you send the message, he`ll get an email. The system`s so secure he has to put a password in just to read what you`ve sent.

Then, once you request to stop the conversation, the department cannot reply anymore.

It`s an updated system that Ewing hopes will influence the youth.

"I think really you`re going to see, it`s going to be geared a lot towards that younger crowd, because those are the ones that have really bought into text messaging," Ewing said. 

Now as always you can continue to call 812-238-STOP to submit your tips in addition to the texting feature.