WASHINGTON, D.C. — It's a free app for Apple and Google phones and tablets that has already helped investigators track down and arrest dangerous child predators.
I.C.E. Agent Patrick Redling walked Channel 9 through the Operation Predator app. He said the beauty of it is that it's simple to use and easy to understand.
"It allows us to put a tool in every citizen's pocket," he said.
The app puts information about wanted child sex predators at the phone user's fingertips. Users can share the information through Facebook and Twitter.
"There are many people, when they go home, they sign into their social media, learn what's going on through their friends and family there," Redling said.
Federal agents say early editions of the app already have led to the capture of suspects in a matter of hours.
As they roll it out on all platforms, they're hoping parents and other members of the public can help them catch dangerous predators.
"There are times when we exhaust all investigative leads and we know somebody out there knows this person and has seen them before," Redling said.
If you recognize one of the wanted suspects from the app, there's a link to send confidential anonymous tips to authorities.
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