Imagine getting an alert on your phone or email that police are getting a lot of reports about smashed car windows and stolen valuables. The crime seems to be centered around just a few blocks.
The notice spurs people that night to remove valuables. And folks pay more attention to people who look unfamiliar, acting suspiciously.
With the one notice, people protect themselves and could help officers crack a case.
Batavia Street resident Cynthia Roseberry is hoping a police messaging system can be brought here.
She said a similar program has been successful in Cobb County, where she used to live. Residents can learn about crime trends and crime alerts, she said.
She has spoken to police officers here and they seem interested in the idea, Roseberry said.
The alerts aren't only crime focused. They can be used to tell about good deeds in the department, advisories about weather and road problems. And the messages can be customized so users can choose only to get messages about downtown East Point or Jefferson Park or any other neighborhood.
Nearby communities using a message system include the Marietta police and Cobb county law enforcement.
Smyrna, along with the Marietta police, use a free program from the Nixle company that enables users to receive up-to-date public safety alerts and advisories. If adopted here, information would be sent from the East Point Police Department or City Hall to a user's phone, e-mail or Web browser.
In the past week, Smyrna has issued alerts about road closures because of accidents, an advisory about testing the weather sirens, an arrest made in an armed robbery. (To see it in action in Smyrna, go here.
More than 3,800 public safety and community agencies throughout the country have begun using Nixle since its launch in March. It is a free service for government agencies.
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For information about Nixle.
