Issaquah Police street crimes detective Diego Zanella understands that talking to the cops sometimes makes people feel uncomfortable.

That’s why he has set up an anonymous tip line for people to call if something seems out of the ordinary in their neighborhood.

Issaquah has had a tip line in the past, but it wasn’t very well explained to the public Zanella said.

“This is not to replace 9-1-1,” Zanella said.

Nor is it to be confused with the 24-hour non-emergency line. The tip-line call will go to a recorded message, but it will not be traced. Zanella said it’s hard for the police to stop crime if they don’t know when suspicious activity is taking place. Narcotics, burglaries and car prowls are all on IPD’s radar.

He said this is similar to Homeland Security’s “If you see something, say something” campaign.

Student resource officer Karin Weihe will be talking to students to assure them they won’t be accused of being a snitch. All officer’s will have the tip line on their business cards, and there will be link on the city’s web site.

The number is 425-837-3210.