The program is called Citizen Observer, an e-mail and text messaging alert notification system that allows anyone who subscribes to receive detailed information from the police department.
The alert categories that the Matthews Police Department will be using are:
- Citizen Alerts – These alerts are used to notify the community of issues that may affect public safety throughout the Town of Matthews.·
- Watch Group Alerts – Targeted towards specific geographic areas of town, they allow residents to be better informed about what is happening in, and around, their neighborhood. ·
- Traffic Alerts – This notifies motorists that travel through Matthews about unusual traffic delays, road or lane closures and construction projects.
- Business Alerts – Information that is geared toward specific types of businesses so that the users only receive what is pertinent to them.·
- Case Alerts – Used to send out and gather information about open case investigations, this has proven to be an invaluable tool in solving crimes.
The police department strongly encourages it's citizens to sign up for this valuable service. There is no cost to register, and individuals can sign up for as many different alert categories as they wish. Recognizing that a better informed public creates a safer community, this tool can be used to accomplish many goals.
Each alert sent has a “submit a tip” function that allows the receiver to respond to the police if they have information that can be of assistance. All correspondences are confidential and the tip sender is kept anonymous. By participating in this program, citizens and businesses can play a vital role in crime prevention and utilize a system that has proven to be very useful in maintaining a safe community.