2013 is the year that this Department rolled out their social media in an effort to communicate with the community. We started with Facebook, added a Twitter account, incorporated a blog and then rolled out our Mobile Application.
Our Mobile Application works with the Android and IPhone system. We wrote an html5 webpage that can be viewed by blackberry and windows devices with less functions.
Recently we revamped the mobile app to help communicate a little better. We truly have one of the best mobile apps in the country for police agencies. We are not dependent on one communication system but incorporate many at the push of one button. We not only get information out to our community but also get accurate information to the press so that they can get out accurate information to their customers.
Here is a look at the improved application. The opening screen has been simplified. Simple is good. We want to give you a clear easy way to access the information you want.
Next to the word Middleton Police is a small bell. Tapping this bell will bring you to the Alert section. At the very bottom there are eight buttons or tabs that you can press. Most are self explanatory however, I will cover each function below.
The Call Us tab does exactly what it says. Hitting the button will bring up a submenu for you to select how to call us.
The first number is for 911. This is for emergencies when police, fire or an ambulance requires an immediate response. Tapping this button will put the 911 number in your dialer on the phone.
The second choice is to be connected to the police station. The third connects you directly with our Dispatch Center. If you call the police station and do not get an answer, please call the Dispatch Center as we do not see voicemail messages until we physically go to the police station.
The next section is the ALERTS section. This is the most critical function of our mobile app as it allows us to get immediate information to you.
The alert function does two things. First it places a Middleton Police notification at the top of you phone to let you know we have issued an alert. Tapping on that icon will open the Middleton Police Mobile Application. In sending an alert we can not do a couple of things. We can send a text message such as Road Closed Due to Accident, use alternate route, We can send you directly to a webpage such as a press release or blog. We can also post pictures such as a missing child, pet or wanted person.
Tapping the Alert button opens up the area where all Alerts are stored so you can view them at a later time.
Our Mobile Application works with the Android and IPhone system. We wrote an html5 webpage that can be viewed by blackberry and windows devices with less functions.
Recently we revamped the mobile app to help communicate a little better. We truly have one of the best mobile apps in the country for police agencies. We are not dependent on one communication system but incorporate many at the push of one button. We not only get information out to our community but also get accurate information to the press so that they can get out accurate information to their customers.
Here is a look at the improved application. The opening screen has been simplified. Simple is good. We want to give you a clear easy way to access the information you want.
The second choice is to be connected to the police station. The third connects you directly with our Dispatch Center. If you call the police station and do not get an answer, please call the Dispatch Center as we do not see voicemail messages until we physically go to the police station.
The next section is the ALERTS section. This is the most critical function of our mobile app as it allows us to get immediate information to you.
Tapping the Alert button opens up the area where all Alerts are stored so you can view them at a later time.
In the above photo you will see three different types of alerts. The first is a web url. Tapping in the box will open up the webpage link we sent. The second is a Template. This opens a picture that we put out. It may be a wanted person, missing person or simply a bulletin that we want to get out. The third is an example of a simple text message.
On the web url and Template, you will notice an arrow in the bottom corner. This is where you can help us during important messages. It allows you to share our information with friends. Hit the arrow and it opens the following screen.
By tapping the appropriate button, you can now share our messages with friends, neighbors and relatives who do not have our mobile application. You can share by email, facebook, twitter and SMS messaging which is a text message. If you hit the button by mistake, simply hit cancel.
Your next button on the main screen allows you to send us a voice message.
Pressing the Voice Notes button opens the below screen:
At the bottom of the screen is a microphone which allows you to record the message. The far right button allows you to play and review your message. The middle button will send that audio message to us by email.
Our next function button is the crime cam. The application allows you to take a picture and send it to us or send us a picture you have stored on your phone. Once you tap the Crime Cam button, simply hit choose photo and it will walk you through the process.
The crime cam may be used to send us suspicious photos or in a natural disaster such as a hurricane, flooding or tornado, we may ask us to send us photos to get a real quick assessment of damages.
We added an event tab. This tab will show any events that we posted that may be of interest to you. An example might be an important meeting or a social event such as a Recreation Department Barbecue, Children's parties etc.
Our next tab is Web Links
Selecting the web link tab will open informational links that we thought you would find useful.
Currently by selecting each tab, you can view the Middleton Town Website, Police section of the Website, Police Facebook Page, Police Twitter Page, Town Facebook Page, Fire Department Facebook Page as well as a link to the Selectman's meeting minutes.
The last two functions in the app are an email button which will open a form and allow you to send us email and a Blog button which will allow you to read all our blogs from your mobile device.
When you first open the application, it tells you that it would like to use location data. You can chose yes or no. Our office software allows us to send information to locations only. If you select no, you will not get these messages. We do not have the ability to track individual users nor will we track users in the future. This tool is designed as a communication tool.
We are pretty proud of our mobile tool. A lot of time, effort and work has gone into it at no cost to the taxpayer. The media monitors many of our accounts so we can reach the folks that do not use social media or smart phones through traditional methods. We also built in tools so you, the user can be part of this process and share by email or text information we put out.
We are always looking for ways to improve so if you have any ideas or anything you want to see in the next build, email me at tbrown@ne.twcbc.com or use the link in your mobile app.
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