Bulk SMS has evolved over the years as an effective two way communication system. What more? The speed at which it gets delivered to the recipients has also made it one of the exciting and widely accepted medium of communication in the world today. Organizations, agencies and big time business owners have even gone to the extent of generating short codes through which people can send messages at ease. The advent of these short codes can be the game changer in curbing criminal activities in Nigeria.

USING SMS TO REPORT CRIMES AND SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITES

The government intelligence agencies can really check crime by using a dedicated short code to which the masses can send short messages to report criminal activities happening in their environment or to report suspicious movements and action happening around them.

As a necessity, the short code should be one that is very easy to remember and easy to use. In order for the agency hosting the service to be able to locate the place where the crime or suspicious activity is going on, the codes might even be made different depending on the places. Or instead, the command sent by the person reporting such will include the location of the individual.

The government agency needs just route the messages in a way in which it gets to the nearest security agents closest to the area of reported ongoing criminal activities, and such ones can intervene immediately.

What the agency needs to do is just get a bulk SMS platform, get a unique short code and people can start reaching them through this means. The bulk SMS service allows the agency to equally follow-up on those making such reports and the two-way communication can be there.

Interestingly, this arrangement is already in place in some countries and even African countries at that, and it is proving to be very effective in controlling crime and ensuring safety and security in the country.

With a provision like this, people can get instant help whenever they are in any form of danger in their environment, and also when the evil perpetrators know they have nowhere to hide, it will go a long way in reducing criminal activities.

Noteworthy is the fact that some other agencies in Nigeria are equally making good use of SMS short codes to good effect, like the NAFDAC’s SMS short code for detecting fake drugs. It has great success story and so will this if fully utilized.

What do you think about the use of SMS to curb criminal activities? The comment box below can be used for your contributions.