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Transit Police now textable, fielding influx of tips

Discreet text from witness helped bust man groping women on SkyTrain
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Transit riders can now text Transit Police at 87-77-77.

SkyTrain riders worried about their security can now send text messages to alert Transit Police.

Dispatchers now receive and respond to texts sent to them at 87-77-77.

The move, which took effect in December, is in addition to other methods of alerting security, such as pressing the yellow strip above windows on SkyTrain to trigger a silent alarm.

"It's a more discreet way to get help because people are texting all the time," said Transit Police spokesperson Anne Drennan.

She said police have already received many "excellent texts" with good tips, particularly ones related to sexual offences.

Drennan said one male was recently apprehended on SkyTrain after a witness texted Transit Police that he was inappropriately touching women.

"It happens on the buses as well and there aren't yellow strips on the buses," Drennan added.

Transit riders welcomed the change on Twitter, saying they've often wished they could text to seek police help.