Students who want to report a serious crime or violation of the Student Judicial Code can call the NIU TipLine at 753-TIPS for help.

The TipLine is an anonymous service students can use to report severe crime or suspicious activities around campus.

The NIU TipLine, a division of the DeKalb County Crime Stoppers, was established to help students report crimes in a non-threatening manner and without the fear of the criminal finding out.

According to Lt. Matt Kiederlen of the University Police, the TipLine allows students to anonymously report crimes they feel endanger the safety and security of NIU.

“The TipLine is a great way for someone to report a crime if they don’t want people to know who called in,” Kiederlen said.

Cash rewards are given to students reporting useful information that can lead to the conviction of a serious crime. Rewards can reach up to $250 depending on the severity of the crime.

Numerous calls received by the TipLine have resulted in conviction or the start of an investigation, many of which have been related to drugs or narcotics, Kiederlen said.

Some students agree the TipLine is a helpful service to report something they feel is wrong. Junior geography major Stan Sendra has used the TipLine in the past.

“Some people were doing things they shouldn’t be doing,” Sendra said. “I called the TipLine and the cops came right away.”

Sendra added he would call the TipLine again and encourages others to do the same.

“I think the hotline is a great idea; it personally makes me feel more safe on campus,” said Katy Smith, a freshman speech-language pathology and audiology double major.

Although Smith has yet to use the hotline, she thinks the service is something students should use.