A new program asking students to text message tips about illegal drug activity has become a controversial topic among parents, kids and civil liberties activists.

The Suffolk County Police Department says the text tips will be anonymous and it will pay out $500 for information leading to an arrest. Posters hanging up at William Floyd High School tell students all they have to do is send a text message to CRIMES or 274637.

William Floyd senior Megan Hynes says the money incentive may help students come forward. But, she says, there are students who are afraid to give police that information. Some say whether it works is not the issue; it?s just a bad idea.

?It seems like it's motivating people to give up others for their own interests instead of the communities? interests,? says John Devito, another student at William Floyd.

The New York Civil Liberties Union also takes issue with the program. "Schools are supposed to be nurturing, safe places,? the organization says. ?But we're increasingly seeing police tactics imported from the streets to our schools."

Posters about the program were handed out to 58 different high schools throughout the county, haven?t been posted in every school yet.