SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County Crime Stoppers officials will soon accept tips via text messaging, authorities announced Monday.

Crime Stoppers Executive Director Sally Cox said that the new text messaging option is being offered as a way to appeal to younger people who may have witnessed or heard something about an ongoing criminal case. The hope is that tips to the program will increase by more than 20 percent this year, Cox said.

Crime Stoppers currently accepts tips via email and a toll free phone number. Callers do not have to give their names; however, rewards are given for tips that lead to arrests.

Cox was expected to announce details about how the program will work at a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m. at the San Diego County Sheriff's Department headquarters at 9621 Ridgehaven Court.