(WSB Radio) -- Dunwoody Police acknowledge citizens who may know something about the murder of Russell Sneiderman outside Dunwoody Prep may be even more afraid to contact authorities.

So the police have set up a way for witnesses to send them an encrypted text message and remain completely anonymous.

It's called "TipSoft" a web based program for citizens to leave anonymous tips online or via text message using their cell phones.

"If they were hesitant about calling," said Dunwoody Police Public information Officer Sgt. Mike Carlson, "they can use this tool - either by using their cell phone and texting us a message or by going to the police department's website and click on 'submit a crime tip.'"

Carlson said if a citizen submits a tip online, he or she will be provided a unique identification number to check the status of the tip at a later time. 

Citizens may text "DPDTIPS" to the number 274637.  Once a message is sent, the tipster will get a confirmation back.  Carlson adds the program also allows an encrypted two way dialogue