Communities should leverage new technologies to promote anonymous and easily accessible methods of reporting. Many community members fear retaliation and value anonymity when contacting law enforcement. Website portals, text messaging, and mobile phone applications can be used to allow for convenient, anonymous reporting.

Forty-one percent of females and 30 percent of males listed fear of retaliation as a barrier when deciding whether or not to report an observation of suspicious behavior. Many agencies are turning to text messages and web-based reporting programs that allow residents to remain anonymous while submitting reports, reducing concerns over intimidation and negative consequences.