Collin County Sheriff’s Office Installs First Citizen Notification System of Its Kind
-New Integrated Solution from DCC and CrimeWeb Enables County to Alert Residents via Email and Phone
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Dallas, Texas – Together, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Collin County Office of Homeland Security have purchased and installed the enhanced CrimeWeb citizen notification system, powered by DCC (Dialogic Communications Corporation), according to Captain Pam Palmisano.
The new system is the first critical communications solution of its kind in the nation, enabling Collin County to quickly alert citizens, via email and telephone regarding missing persons, major crimes, homeland security threats and other public safety-related situations. With the technology in place, residents can actually select the types of events that they would like to be notified about and even how they prefer to be contacted (email, phone or both).
“It is an incredible public safety ally,” said Palmisano. “With a few clicks of a mouse, we can now email or call residents in a matter of seconds. The ability to expedite information delivery through multiple channels is extremely valuable to our community.”
The new system was developed through a partnership between CrimeWeb Networks, LLC, a web-based information clearinghouse for public safety organizations, and DCC, the global leader in emergency notification technology. It will allow people (both inside and outside Collin County), along with news media and other important audiences to register on-line to receive notifications by email and/or phone, keeping them alert and informed of current events in Collin County. Subscribers can sign up free of charge to receive details based on CrimeWeb’s proprietary zip code system, ensuring receipt of any relevant public safety information that may affect Collin County.
CrimeWeb’s patented on-line solution is utilized by public safety operations nationwide to distribute information, including images such as maps related to the incident, to subscribers via email. DCC is a pioneer in the emergency communications field and develops industry-leading notification software that automates the entire communications process, delivering voice or text messages to key audiences during critical situations.
“Collin County is a leader in the public safety field,” said Gene Kirby, president of DCC. “They understand the important role technology can play in every aspect of public safety. By incorporating this new solution, they are greatly expanding their communications capabilities and improving the overall well-being of the people of their county.”
Having recently completed the all-important testing phase, Collin County has now put the new solution into action. On August 31, 2004, the county alerted residents of a hazardous materials fire that occurred in Greenville, Texas. Collin County sent over 12,000 notifications via phone and email to citizens located in areas of potential danger.
Citizens not yet registered to receive CrimeWeb alerts may do so by going to www.crimeweb.net and completing the on-line registration process. CrimeWeb also provides instant translation for Spanish speaking users. The alerts, issued by CrimeWeb may also be configured to include a feedback link to allow information to flow from the recipient back to the law enforcement agency. Current Collin County CrimeWeb users who wish to receive phone alerts in addition to the traditional alerts they have been receiving, may also do so by logging on to CrimeWeb.Net and updating their existing profile.
To access the CrimeWeb network, subscribers only need an Internet connection and email application, such as Microsoft® Outlook™. Voice-driven notifications, supplied by the CrimeWeb network and distributed by DCC’s critical communications technology, are delivered by landline, cell or satellite phone, helping to keep everyone alert and informed at all times
About CrimeWeb
CrimeWeb is a uniquely designed web-based clearinghouse which allows information collected by public safety agencies nationwide to be quickly and efficiently distributed – free of charge – to citizens, news media organizations and other law enforcement agencies which may have an interest in the information. CrimeWeb was founded in 1997, and is based in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit CrimeWeb on-line at www.crimeweb.net or call 1-888-33CRIME.
About DCC
Since 1982, hundreds of public and private organizations around the globe have integrated DCC’s notification and response solutions into their critical communications networks, making DCC the established leader in emergency notification technology. For more information, contact DCC in Franklin, Tennessee, at 800.723.3207 or visit www.dccusa.com.
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