Mandarin residents can text an anonymous crime tip to law enforcement by sending the word "SAFEFC" to 738477.

First Coast Crime Stoppers launched the text-based tip line Sunday, Sept. 27, as first reported by Action News Jax. The program covers six First Coast counties: Duval, Nassau, Clay, Baker, Bradford and Union.

The organization said it wants residents across the region to recognize SAFEFC as a single keyword for reporting criminal activity. Tipster identities are protected under three Florida statutes, and phone numbers and IP addresses are encrypted before they reach Crime Stoppers or law enforcement, according to the organization's website.

The tips are anonymous.

Executive Director Chase Robinson stressed that protection at an October 2025 news conference announcing higher cash rewards. "Your identity is never known," Robinson said. "That's not a promise; it's a fact guaranteed by Florida statute."

Tips that lead to an arrest can earn cash rewards: up to $3,000 for most offenses, up to $5,000 for active or cold-case homicides and up to $7,500 for human trafficking cases, according to First Coast Crime Stoppers. Only tips submitted through official channels qualify for rewards. Social media messages, third-party apps and direct contact with law enforcement do not.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office directs residents who want to stay anonymous to use Crime Stoppers rather than contacting JSO directly.

In 2025, the organization received 2,984 tips, which led to 188 arrests and 484 cleared cases. Since 2002, Crime Stoppers has logged 66,059 tips and 4,693 arrests across the First Coast.

The SAFEFC text line joins four other ways to submit a tip: calling 1-866-845-TIPS (8477), dialing **TIPS from a cellphone, visiting fccrimestoppers.com or using the P3 Tips mobile app. Tipsters who receive a tip number can check its status by calling (904) 398-3775 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., or by visiting fccrimestoppers.com.