(TNS) — The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, which manages social media accounts and websites, is paying nearly $50,000 to get information to people more directly.
In June, the department released a free mobile app that aims to “serve as an innovative way to connect with residents, businesses, and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.” The ministry said at the time. .
“What I think the sheriff liked about this was that it was a way to keep people connected to the sheriff’s department,” said sheriff’s office spokesman Sgt. Darren Moss said in a recent interview. “Those who subscribe will receive more notifications directly from us.”
Although it wasn’t announced publicly until recently, the app was actually released last year. As of Oct. 15, 2,312 Apple users and 1,408 Android users had downloaded it, Moss said.
Moss said the app cost the division $48,980, including startup and service fees, under a two-year contract with developer TheSheriffApp.com.
Through the app, people can access information available on the department’s website, including news, county jail inmate rosters, sex offender search tools and animal control services, according to the department’s launch announcement. The app also aims to streamline processes such as submitting information, reporting crimes, and requesting police reports.
If users have notifications turned on, the department will send alerts through the app notifying them of police activity, traffic issues and severe weather warnings.
Moss said 3,700 app users have signed up for so-called push alerts, and 27,000 notifications have been hit in the past three months.
This app was developed by TheSheriffApp.com, which specializes in custom apps for sheriff’s offices and other public safety agencies across the United States. TheSheriffApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC, has approximately 550 clients across the United States, including Adams County Sheriff and Emergency Management, Moses Lake and Lynnwood in Washington state, according to OCV Marketing Manager Victoria Moore. There are three customers in the police department.
“The sheriff really wanted to try something different,” Moss said, noting that the app has allowed the department to become a news source. “We hope this continues to grow and expand.” ” he said. “There’s not a lot of human work, but there’s a lot of crime to report.”
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