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Frankfort Police Department Revives Use Of Mobile Alert System

Nixle
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nixle.com/public-safety-communications/

The Frankfort Police Department has reintroduced a mobile alert system in hopes of reaching more residents more quickly.

Police chief Troy Bacon says the department used the technology – called Nixle – before, but it was dropped when the force moved to a centralized dispatch system.

Bacon says through Nixle, the police force can send out alerts, and residents can send in tips.

“You can actually send a text message to our Nixle system of a drug tip or of a crime that’s happening in your neighborhood that you keep seeing and you want to report that anonymously,” he says.

Bacon says the department uses social media to disseminate information, but the text and email alerts will help especially in crisis situations.

He says the FPD chose Nixle to share clear, quick information within the department and with the public.

Bacon says the mobile service can also send pictures, as well as collect feedback from those who receive a message.

“If you get a Nixle message of a missing person and see the photo, and you just saw that person at a certain intersection, you can reply to the Nixle message you just got and tell us where you saw that person,” Bacon says. “So, the feedback is so quick now with the Nixle.”

About 2,800 Clinton County residents have signed up for Nixle so far.

Residents can text the zip code 46041 to the number 888777 or go to the Frankfort Police Department website to register.