Thanks to Crime Electronic Network (CrimEnet), an email list that has helped solve numerous crimes by connecting some 320 law enforcement personnel from 75 agencies across three states, the proverbial long arm of the law extends further than you think. In recognition of its innovative and effective use of email list technology to solve crimes, CrimEnet received the grand prize of L-Soft's LISTSERV Choice Awards.

Captain Frank Anderson of Indiana's St. Joseph County police department and CrimEnet founder and administrator declared: "As we all know, criminals range across jurisdictional boundaries to commit crimes." He continued "Therefore, my agency, recognizing the value of our time and the enormity of our caseloads, created a LISTSERV(R) email list to promote easier interagency communication."

Currently in its third year, L-Soft's awards program, is designed to recognize the most successful and beneficial LISTSERV email list or LISTSERV Maestro email marketing campaign. This award recognizes the positive results that organizations and individuals can achieve using email list technology.

L-Soft founder and CEO and LISTSERV creator, Eric Thomas, stated: "CrimEnet's novel and low-cost approach to information sharing across police jurisdictions has led to crimes being solved. This is real communication with real results and is a model that could be easily replicated and expanded upon by other organizations." He continued: "Congratulations and thanks to Capt. Anderson and his colleagues in St. Joseph County for using email list technology to make our society safer."

Opened strictly to law enforcement personnel, CrimEnet is password-protected. Sharing information that furthers the investigative process and leads to better crime solving results, members send and receive messages about current investigations. Photo arrays and various other kinds of graphic files, such as bulletins and driver's license photos, can also be included. Particularly useful can be images of stolen property.

The results attesting to CrimEnet's success include numerous suspects being taken into custody, arrest warrants issued and the recovery of stolen property. Anderson said, regarding the future of CrimEnet, that the email list's membership has grown primarily through word-of-mouth, and he intends to continue the network's growth with an eye to expanding its crime solving benefits.