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GREENWICH, Conn. Smartphone users in Greenwich can stay up-to-date and in contact with the Greenwich Police Department through the release of its new app.
Its another tool for us to keep in contact with the good citizens of Greenwich, said Lt. Kraig Gray, public information officer for the Greenwich Police Department. Were joining the modern era. People use their cell phones for everything nowadays so it makes good sense to use whats being utilized out there anyway.
The application is available as a free download for both Apple iPhones and Android phones. It enables residents to directly interface with the police department with more ease by providing contact information at their fingertips for department members. Greenwich is one of the first towns in Connecticut to offer the app.
Residents can submit tips about crimes, including photographs and GPS location tags along with submitted tips. It also allows users to provide the department feedback on performance, ask questions or commend an officer or other department member for their work.
Its a well-developed product that is visually attractive, incredibly inexpensive and it fills a gap, says Capt. Mark Kordick. Weve had a link on the town website to send in tips for years, and weve probably received more traffic already using the app than on the town website. In the past few days, the department has received two commendations and one crime tip from residents.
On the app, users can get direct links and access to the departments website, news and information page and Facebook page; participate in departmental and community surveys; get GPS-enabled directions from any location directly to police headquarters; and the ability to include a photograph or GPS location tag. Photographs can be taken with the phone or uploaded to it.
Although all of the contact forms can be sent anonymously to the police, the department encourages users to provide an email address or phone number for a more direct response.
All government is moving to better, more progressive ways to interact with their citizens, said Kordick. We have to change what we do to meet the changing times if were going to continue to be relevant and accessible to people, particularly younger people.
Development of the application, provided by Wired Blue LLC, began a few months ago by members of the Greenwich Police Departments Information Technology and Communications Section, part of the departments Operations Division.
According to Kordick, the cost of the application for the department is significantly less than $2 a day. For the cost and ease of use, its a real bargain, he says.
As with email, online forms and social media pages, the app is not intended for any type of emergency situation. The department assures all messages will be reviewed in a timely manner, but app activity is not monitored at all times.
To download the application:
Apple App Store: Search for My Police Department or MyPD or visit http://bit.ly/npAsE7
Android Market: Search for My Police Department or MyPD or visit http://bit.ly/qra4Bf
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