The Puerto Rican government on Monday launched a special cell-phone line, BastaYaPR, that will allow citizens to report tips to the police and the aim of which is to minimize the violence besetting the island.

Gov. Luis Fortuño said in a press release that by calling 3432020 people will find it “easier, safer and more effective” to provide anonymous tips to authorities to combat crime, which has resulted in almost 1,000 murders so far this year.

“I know that together we can achieve a safer Puerto Rico. When each one of us takes responsibility and contributes to guaranteeing law and order, all Puerto Rico will feel a change in security,” Fortuño emphasized.

The cell-phone campaign follows those launched for regular landlines and using the Web page http://www.3432020.com via which police have received more than 47,000 tips.

“The information received via 3432020 has been indispensable in being able to identify and arrest criminals, for which we thank the courage and civic responsibility of the thousands of citizens who are contributing to safeguarding our public safety,” Fortuño said.

The application for the program will only be available on iPhones and Android cell phones.

BastaYaPR is a non-profit foundation created by the parents of Julian Andres Romero Rodriguez, who was murdered on April 18, 2011.