Crime & Safety
Novato Police Department Implements Nixle Alerts
New system will allow residents to receive NPD notifications faster and through many means.
The Novato Police Department will begin utilizing Nixle, an emergency management communications system that allows verified law enforcement departments to send notifications and alerts to registered e-mail addresses and cell phones.
“Nixle is a great way for our community to receive timely, accurate information from the police department,” said NPD Lt. Jennifer Welch “Nixle will be used to disseminate press releases, community alerts and be a tool for the police department in emergency situations.”
Welch said the new system was a significant step forward.
Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Our ‘old system’ was to email press releases and information to local news media and hope the information gets distributed,” she said. “Now, the community has the option of receiving information as soon as we make it available to the public.”
Residents can register online for free at nixle.com, and choose whether to receive alerts as a text message, e-mail, a notification on the Nixle smartphone app or to view it online.
Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Residents can also register by texting the city ZIP code, for example, 94945, in the body of a message to 888777.
The service is free for law enforcement agencies to use through its partnership with the International Justice and Public Safety Network. Nixle alerts are geotargeted, sent only to registered Nixle users within a quarter-mile of a particular incident. For example, if a traffic collision in the downtown area causes a power outage, Nixle will only alert residents in the immediate vicinity.
Users can view photos and maps of an affected area online, helpful when navigating road closures or significant police activity.
Novato Police Department will be using Nixle for news releases regarding criminal activity, community events and as an alert system notification in emergency situations.
“Residents are all encouraged to register for these alerts,” Welch said, adding that they can do so via NPD’s website.
See more on Novato Patch:
- Novato Woman Ordered to Stand Trial in Alleged White Power Assault
- VIDEO: From the Marin Coast to the Bay Lights, Take an Ultra-HD Ride Above the Bay Area
- City Manager’s Video a Look at Government Roles, Responsibilities
- What Was the Most Expensive Marin Home Sold in 2012?
Stay Patched in! Follow Novato Patch on Twitter | “Like” Novato Patch on Facebook | Sign up for the daily e-mail with links to the latest news.
