NORWAY – It hasn’t resulted in closing any criminal cases yet, but that could change any minute.

A special Internet-based e-mail tips line set up by Norway police has already resulted in a few leads in cases, said Detective Sgt. Rob Federico. He said that as word gets out that the line is up and running, he expects its use will grow.

“We only started it about three weeks ago,” the department’s senior officer said Thursday.

Federico said the e-mail line – [email protected] – was put in place following the success of a similar line operated by the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department. The tip line allows people to remain anonymous, he said.

Anyone can access the line by using a computer at the public library if they don’t want their e-mail address known, Federico noted.

“It helps us,” he said, when the public is willing to “act as extra eyes and ears.”

Sometimes people driving down a road will notice something that catches their attention. If it’s an illegal activity, Federico said, they can let police know what they’ve seen.

He said he expects the tip line to be particularly useful in investigating burglaries and drug-related crimes.

Federico said he’s the only member of the Police Department with the password needed to access the tip line, so people passing along tips can be assured of remaining anonymous.

The detective said the courts have upheld the legality of police using anonymous tips, providing they can also confirm the information through independent investigation. He said people often prefer not to get directly involved in criminal cases for various reasons, including the time sometimes involved in being a witness.

People can also access the tip line via the town’s Internet site, www.norwaymaine.com, and clicking on enforcement, then police.