University of Michigan students can now text campus police to report crimes in progress.

Texts can be sent to 377911 (DPS911).

The preferred method for reporting crimes that aren't in progress, such as stolen belongings, is still telephone calls to the DPS Communications Center at (734) 763-1131, according to a statement released today.

AnnArbor.com file photo

The center is where 911 calls are routed when they're made from campus land lines. Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County dispatchers will also transfer calls they pick up from cell phones to the U-M center for crimes or emergencies that are occurring on campus.

Texts should include the type of crime being reported, the time and location, and any information about potential suspects. If the nature of the text message is a medical or other type of emergency, it should include the location and type of emergency.

"Texts are an available alternative if for some reason one couldn't make a phone call," DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown said.

A text is a good alternative for someone in a dangerous situation who doesn't want to make noise or for a person with a disability with a texting plan, for example, Brown said.

If a student texts police with an incident that should instead be reported by a phone call, dispatchers will text the student back asking him or her to dial the communications center.

Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter