Due to technological advances within the last decade, communication seems to be defined by its convenience. Students can text their friends rather than call them, email professors and associates rather than meet in-person and download entire lectures from class online rather than actually attend. But where is the line drawn between using technology for efficient communication and lazily averting responsibilities?

Certainly, when it comes to reporting crimes, implementing technological methods was meant to improve on a citizen’s responsibility to protect one’s community. But I don’t think that has been its only effect.

Many U.S. states and cities started to use the Crime Stoppers program, “Text-a-Tip,” in 2008 as a tool to encourage citizens to assist police forces in fighting crime. The service, available on this campus, allows people to report information about a crime anonymously by calling 217-373-TIPS or texting TIP397 along with the message to CRIMES (274637).

This service seems pretty beneficial at first. Due to the general popularity of texting, this widely opens communication between police forces and average citizens. Victims or witnesses can contact police without bringing attention to themselves by speaking out loud. You would think it’s a win-win.

The anonymous factor seems to be a positive aspect of the service, but it calls into question what should be encouraged when it comes to reporting crimes. Even though anonymous, fabricated information intentionally given to the police can still result in a criminal charge. However, when it’s true, should someone be afraid to speak out? Is reporting a crime something to be ashamed of? I would think not, but these services allow the user to think so.

Deputy Chief of Police Skip Frost explained how implementing technology has been a challenge for the campus police. It becomes a problem when services, such as the Department of Public Safety email, are used to report a crime, Frost said. Because there’s no feedback element, the police have no way of receiving more information in real time like they would if that person had called in.

For some, advances in technology not only make communication easier, but they set new standards of communication as well. So in cases where conveniently texting isn’t available, that witness may not contact the police at all.

The University has 627 emergency phones located across campus in bus shelters, elevators, parking garages, stairwells, inside buildings and outside. In 2012, calls for actual emergencies on average comprised 9.5 percent of the emergency phones’ use, with 42.5 percent being for accidental activations and the other 47.9 percent for “other” uses. One of the many ways emergency phones can provide assistance is if someone in need of help is without a cellphone or other mobile device. But will that person search for other resources, like the emergency phones, or forego contacting the police altogether?

Years ago, there was an incident on the Quad, Frost related, and a person involved walked all the way to their apartment without contacting the police. When Frost asked why they didn’t use one of the emergency phones, that person responded that there were none on the Quad.

“Well, there’s one on every corner of the Quad and in every building,” Frost said. “I don’t understand how you walk by them and don’t notice where those are at.”

It may have been a simple issue of not being aware of the safety resources available, but that is a major issue in itself that many are now skipping over. With smart phones and their seemingly limitless communication capabilities within your pocket, it’s easy to think that you don’t have to prepare for an emergency.

But cell phones aren’t able to assist in all situations. You may find yourself without one, or one that doesn’t work properly when you need it most. Ultimately, it’s still each citizen’s responsibility to know the safety tools at their disposal around them and to report the crimes they witness in order to serve their community.

While technology may seem like your best friend, it certainly shouldn’t become your crutch.

Sarah is a sophomore in Media and can be reached at [email protected].