City of Poughkeepsie: City police offer online crime alerts
New system seeks input from public
Poughkeepsie Journal
November 26, 2007
Michael Valkys
From fugitives on the run and homicides to house burglaries and car break-ins,
City of Poughkeepsie police are alerting residents and businesses about local
crimes with the click of a computer mouse.
The department recently became the first in the state to use the CitizenObserver
Alert Network, a new initiative which allows officers to send information on
crime directly to residents by e-mail or phone text message.
Chief Ronald Knapp said the new system, which debuted last month, allows police
to share information with residents on specific cases and crime trends. That
should help promote public safety and hopefully encourage the public to share
information on specific crimes with investigating officers.
"We're trying it out for the next two years,'' Knapp recently told the
Common Council during a presentation on the new program. "Obviously, if
it's successful, we'll continue it.''