Sheriff’s Department Now Using Nixle Community Notification Service
Sheriff Bill Gore announced today the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has begun to distribute public safety notifications using the Nixle community notification service.
Nixle is a free web-based service provided by Nixle, LLC. Residents may register by going to the Nixle website, and clicking the “Residence Sign Up Now” button. Once registered, users will receive messages by e-mail and by text message to their wireless phones. Messages are categorized as Alerts, Advisories, Community Information, and Traffic. Recent examples of Nixle messages sent by the Sheriff’s Department include those of missing at-risk persons, the search for an armed suspect, and notification of a prescription drug take-back program.
There is no charge to use this service, and users’ information is not given or sold to any other entities.
“The real strength of Nixle is that we can target a geographic area in making
notifications,” said Sheriff Bill Gore. “This helps to ensure the information you get is relevant to your community.”
Sheriff Gore added that while Nixle will be helpful in distributing important public
safety information, it will not take the place of Reverse 911 and Alert San Diego when critical messages requiring immediate protective action is necessary. “Nixle will augment existing resources in times of emergencies,” Sheriff Gore explained, “When notifications are given to evacuate or shelter-in-place, residents should anticipate those messages will be by telephone from Reverse 911.”
More information about Nixle, including answers to frequently asked questions
may be found on the Sheriff’s website.
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