How to Safely Share Tips, Videos, and Photos with 815.News

At 815.News, we believe strongly in the power of community journalism. Our readers are our eyes and ears on the ground, and many important local stories start with a tip, photo, or video from someone who was there when something newsworthy happened.

However, we want to be very clear: We do not encourage or support vigilante-style filming or confrontational behavior. Our goal is responsible, ethical journalism — not drama, not harassment, and certainly not putting anyone (including you) in unnecessary danger.

If you witness something you believe deserves public attention — whether it’s a traffic incident, a community event, a local government issue, or potential wrongdoing — here’s how you can help us cover it safely and effectively:

1. Prioritize Safety — Yours and Everyone Else’s

•  Keep a safe distance. Never put yourself in harm’s way to get a closer shot. If something looks dangerous, move away and call law enforcement if needed.

•  Do not antagonize, provoke, or harass. Shouting questions, getting in people’s faces, or trying to escalate a situation is not journalism — it’s confrontation. We will not use any content obtained this way.

•  Stay calm and respectful. Treat everyone involved with basic human decency, even (especially) when emotions are running high.

2. Obey Law Enforcement

If police or other officials are on scene and give you a command — even if you believe it’s not strictly enforceable under the law — please comply anyway.

Why?

•  Your safety comes first.

•  Escalating a situation with officers rarely leads to better footage or a clearer story.

•  We want our contributors to act as responsible community members, not as adversaries to authority.

Content created through deliberate defiance or confrontation with law enforcement will not be published on our site.

3. What Makes Good, Usable Content

We’re most interested in footage and photos that simply document what happened:

•  Clear, steady video from a reasonable distance

•  Photos that show the scene without zooming aggressively into faces

•  Context: When and where it happened (time, location, brief description)

•  Any additional details you can safely provide without speculating

The best tips are factual and calm. “I saw this at the corner of State and Main around 7pm” is far more helpful than an angry rant or dramatic confrontation.

4. What We Will Not Use

To be transparent:

•  Any video or photo obtained through intimidation, provocation, yelling, or physical interference.

•  Content that appears designed to instigate a reaction rather than document an event.

•  Material that puts the creator or others at clear risk.

•  Footage where the primary goal seems to be picking a fight instead of informing the public.

We reserve the right to reject any submission that violates these principles. Our reputation as a fair, independent local news source depends on maintaining high ethical standards.

How to Submit Your Tip

It’s easy and secure:

•  Email: [email protected]

•  Or use our submission form: https://815.news/tips

•  Include:

•  Your contact information (we can keep you anonymous if requested)

•  Date, time, and location

•  A short description of what’s happening in the video/photo

•  Any other relevant, factual context

We review every submission carefully. If we decide to use your material, we’ll reach out to confirm details and discuss credit (or anonymity).

Why This Matters

Local news only works when the community works together responsibly. By encouraging safe, respectful documentation rather than confrontation, we can shine a light on real issues without turning everyday citizens into amateur conflict creators.

Thank you for trusting us with your tips and for helping keep our community informed — the right way.

If you have questions about our submission guidelines, feel free to reach out. Together, we can build a stronger, better-informed 815.

— The 815.News Team