The Southgate Police Department has added The Police App, a customizable phone application that facilitates communication between police departments and the public.
The app will replace the Nixle system, which provided information via text message and email alerts. The new app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Southgate is only the second city to move to the smartphone app, said Chief John Christmann. It was purchased using funds from the statewide opioid settlement.
Citizens can download the app onto their phones via a QR code. The chief is in the process of putting the QR code on all police cruisers, as well as on the city’s website and on the police department office door.
“We’re going to transition away from Nixle and use The Police App,” Christmann said. “The Police App is way more user-friendly for us to push out notifications. It’s free for anybody who wants to use it. All you do is download the QR code. I can put a lot of information in the app.”
The department has already put the app to good use. When a gas leak occurred last week, they utilized it to send almost instant push notifications regarding the status of the leak and street closures, he added.
The Police App provides public safety alerts and community information. It also offers the department flexibility to provide a wide variety of information.
The Southgate Police app currently features department news, links to local events and other city information, resources on opioid addiction, and a link to request a vacation house check.
The app also includes a direct link to a tip line. The department is in the process of exploring and adding more resources.
The QR code will be up on the city website and on city police cruisers soon.
