West Windsor’s Police Department has added a new communications service to its Operation Lighthouse initiative, designed to utilize social media to deliver important communications directly to township residents even when emergencies reduce or cut power.
The Nixle Community Information Service will allow the police department to create and publish messages that will be sent to subscribed residents (for free) instantly via cell phone text messages or E-mail. Nixle’s website, nixle.com, will also be available for the latest online notifications from West Windsor Police.
The Plainsboro Police began utilizing Nixle communications in 2010. Messages may range from information about road closings to alerts for serious crime offenders or other safety notices. Community event information may also be sent out.
Nixle messages can be sent specifically to residents within a quarter mile radius “giving them the opportunity to receive trustworthy information relevant only to their neighborhood.” Under the umbrella of Operation Lighthouse Nixle will be used along with Facebook and Twitter, building on the social media components implemented by Lieutenant Robert Garofalo last summer. Garofalo says that when Hurricane Irene hit in late August social media played a key role in updating residents of flooding and road conditions around town.
