POLICE DEPARTMENT E-MAIL/TEXT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

The Highland Park Police Department has unveiled a new citizen alert notification tool designed to increase interaction and community awareness. The program, called CitizenObserver, utilizes the power of the Internet and cellular technology to establish a line of communication between the police department and the people we serve, prompting a flow of vital information between the two.

All residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for this effective, efficient means of notification regarding significant events that may affect them and their community.

What is CitizenObserver?

CitizenObserver is an easy to use Web based alert notification and tip toolset that allows law enforcement agencies to quickly enter content about crimes or incidents, and within seconds push that information out to businesses, citizens, watch groups and others that have signed up to receive those alerts. The system is “Opt In” and alerts are received by the public according to their preference of text message, email or both. The benefits of this system include:

• Instantaneous, proactive communication with the community
• Encourages involvement from the community in crime prevention efforts
• Ease of use

Alerts

Alerts are the core of CitizenObserver’s toolset and allow the Police Department to instantly update the community about crimes or other incidents in the area. All alerts are delivered via e-mail and are also available via text message on your cell phone. In addition, alerts are published to the web.

The primary alert types are:

• Business Alert: targeted to specific business categories, for instance jewelry stores, banks, etc., so recipients only receive information about incidents that are pertinent to them
• Citizen Alert: targeted to a broad audience in the community to inform them about crimes, events or other incidents of importance that are relevant to a majority of the public
• Watch Group: targeted to specific groups that have been created, such as the Ravinia Neighborhood Association or other community groups, etc.
• Case Alert: Used by the police department to keep citizens or a specific watch group apprised of an on-going investigation or event. This may also include a request for information.

Mapping

The system also enables the Police Department to automatically publish alerts to Google Maps. This feature enables Citizens to interact even more with alerts and to see them in a visual or geographic context. 

Citizen Tips

Furthermore, CitizenObserver supports a secure, encrypted, web based tip submittal system. Every alert sent out includes a link to an encrypted web form for the alert recipient to provide an anonymous tip. When a person responds, the form is sent via email as an encrypted PDF file to pre-designated recipients at the Police Department. The system even allows police department personnel to respond real-time to the person, creating a two-way communication link.

The system also allows anyone with a cell phone to provide information anonymously to the Police Department via text messaging. This kind of “on demand” tip system enables the public to provide immediate information while maintaining anonymity. It also enables two-way dialogue between the Police Department and the person supplying the tip.

To register, please use this link: http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/group.html?id=3870

If you have questions about CitizenObserver or need assistance signing up for the service please contact Deputy Police Chief David Schwarz at (847) 926-1112 or by e-mail at dschwarz@cityhpil.com.