BOSTON — Chasing dangerous terrorists and criminals - the FBI now has an app for that.
Boston FBI's Violent Crime Task Force is working to get on people's phones to catch the dangerous fugitives.
"A piece of information from the public sometimes it leads directly to the arrest. Other times it leads us to other information or other people that can help us solve the crime," Supervisory Special Agent Daniel Romanzo.
The FBI Wanted app just launched this week and it allows the public to view, search, sort and get more information on anyone the FBI is looking for.
"Someone may know someone, someone may have some information, someone may be motivated by the reward money," said Romanzo.
If someone has a tip - they can submit a tip, call it in, or text a tip to the field office working the case. You can even set the app so you only see open cases in your area.
"The person who downloads the app can customize the app to their particular area whether it is Boston, Massachusetts or New Hampshire," he said.
The FBI says it has always pursued ways to generate tips. From doing stories with the news to huge billboards along the highway. One of Boston's most notorious FBI fugitives, Whitey Bulger, was caught because of a tip.
"That led a member of the public to report some information that they believe their neighbor could be the person that was wanted and that directly led to the arrest of Whitey Bulger," said Romanzo.
The agencies new initiative is targeting people who get their information online and use their smartphones to do everyday things.
The FBI Headquarters in Washington will be running the app, but special agents in Boston will be able to post their cases as needed.