For the folks that are using our mobile app, you probably noticed that the software was recently updated. Apple issued their update yesterday after an extensive review process. I will be turning the switch tonight. When you open the mobile app it asks for a username and password and just below is a button marked public login. Select the Public Login button only. This will bring you to the features you have now.
As part of the Developer License process the Developer is required to let you know what features we are asking to use in your phone. I think it is important to explain what we are doing and why you should allow it. First and formost, we do not track users. If we need to track a cellphone, we go through the court or emergency process and work directly with the cell carrier. We have no need to track at the local level.
We ask to use your location so when we send emergency alerts to specific areas, you receive that alert. An example of this would be a 2:00 am call involving dangerous firearms. If I needed to do an emergency alert, I might just target the area where it is necessary vs. waking up all our users.
Our alert system allows us to send emergency notifications to all users, neighborhoods we select and allows us to set up a notification when you arrive in a certain area. If you don't allow location information information you will only receive general notifications.
The next process we ask to do is send notifications. If you select yes, you will receive them. If you select no, you will not receive them. This is the whole reason we developed the app. We at times need to reach the public in real time with instant information. While we push this information to our social media, we cannot guarantee immediate notification as we don't control the social media.
The only thing we can see from the server side is how many users are in a certain area. For instance if I posted a road closure in front of the town hall for a 5 mile radius I could see how many Apple and Google users were in that 5 mile area. I can't see where or who they are. Anyone who is skeptical is welcome to stop in and see me anytime and I will fire up the server so you can see with your own eyes.
Lastly we ask to access your texts, photos and emails. This is so you can use the app to communicate with us. For instance I added a text to 911 feature for times when folks don't have enough signal to call or can't talk. This allows our software to use your phone at your command. I can't see your texts photos etc that are stored on your phone nor do we want to.
As we expand our training with the new school, all our officers will be able to send emergency notifications via this blog that will be pushed to the mobile app and out to facebook and twitter. Our primary point of communication with the public will be via the mobile app. When needed we will also place Reverse 911 calls via the 911 center to surrounding areas for our folks that don't have phones or computers.
It is important to note that during a critical emergency it is all hands on deck. We are going a mile a minute. While we get information out, we are most likely not monitoring the comments. We will update information when it is important and when we can. Our primary focus is life safety.
Because of this, I added a scanner function in the mobile app. If you need to know what is going on, you can monitor the scanner portion of the app. This does use data and may cost you if you are on a data plan. It does not cost if you phone is connected to a wifi hot spot.
Please do not call Dispatch during a crisis. During the Hostage Situation a few years ago our dispatch was deluged with calls which takes the dispatcher away from us. To avoid this, we created our social media program including the mobile app to get real time information out.
If you are not using our mobile app and have an Iphone or Android Phone, I would encourage you to download it. In the weblinks section you can follow all the news about town. You can view the Town and Fire Department facebook accounts, the Town Website, the Police Page as well as our social media pages. There are links on there for the Selectmen and their minutes as well. You can get turn by turn directions to our facilities, neighboring departments, courts and hospitals. You can also email us, send tips and photos of suspicious activity.
You can download the app from these locations:
Our Mobile App Download Links:
Appstore:http://itunes.apple. com/us/app/middleton-police/id614733056?ls=1&mt=8
Playstore: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_middletonpolice.layout&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5hcHBfbWlkZGxldG9ucG9saWNlLmxheW91dCJd
As part of the Developer License process the Developer is required to let you know what features we are asking to use in your phone. I think it is important to explain what we are doing and why you should allow it. First and formost, we do not track users. If we need to track a cellphone, we go through the court or emergency process and work directly with the cell carrier. We have no need to track at the local level.
We ask to use your location so when we send emergency alerts to specific areas, you receive that alert. An example of this would be a 2:00 am call involving dangerous firearms. If I needed to do an emergency alert, I might just target the area where it is necessary vs. waking up all our users.
Our alert system allows us to send emergency notifications to all users, neighborhoods we select and allows us to set up a notification when you arrive in a certain area. If you don't allow location information information you will only receive general notifications.
The next process we ask to do is send notifications. If you select yes, you will receive them. If you select no, you will not receive them. This is the whole reason we developed the app. We at times need to reach the public in real time with instant information. While we push this information to our social media, we cannot guarantee immediate notification as we don't control the social media.
The only thing we can see from the server side is how many users are in a certain area. For instance if I posted a road closure in front of the town hall for a 5 mile radius I could see how many Apple and Google users were in that 5 mile area. I can't see where or who they are. Anyone who is skeptical is welcome to stop in and see me anytime and I will fire up the server so you can see with your own eyes.
Lastly we ask to access your texts, photos and emails. This is so you can use the app to communicate with us. For instance I added a text to 911 feature for times when folks don't have enough signal to call or can't talk. This allows our software to use your phone at your command. I can't see your texts photos etc that are stored on your phone nor do we want to.
As we expand our training with the new school, all our officers will be able to send emergency notifications via this blog that will be pushed to the mobile app and out to facebook and twitter. Our primary point of communication with the public will be via the mobile app. When needed we will also place Reverse 911 calls via the 911 center to surrounding areas for our folks that don't have phones or computers.
It is important to note that during a critical emergency it is all hands on deck. We are going a mile a minute. While we get information out, we are most likely not monitoring the comments. We will update information when it is important and when we can. Our primary focus is life safety.
Because of this, I added a scanner function in the mobile app. If you need to know what is going on, you can monitor the scanner portion of the app. This does use data and may cost you if you are on a data plan. It does not cost if you phone is connected to a wifi hot spot.
Please do not call Dispatch during a crisis. During the Hostage Situation a few years ago our dispatch was deluged with calls which takes the dispatcher away from us. To avoid this, we created our social media program including the mobile app to get real time information out.
If you are not using our mobile app and have an Iphone or Android Phone, I would encourage you to download it. In the weblinks section you can follow all the news about town. You can view the Town and Fire Department facebook accounts, the Town Website, the Police Page as well as our social media pages. There are links on there for the Selectmen and their minutes as well. You can get turn by turn directions to our facilities, neighboring departments, courts and hospitals. You can also email us, send tips and photos of suspicious activity.
You can download the app from these locations:
Our Mobile App Download Links:
Appstore:http://itunes.apple. com/us/app/middleton-police/id614733056?ls=1&mt=8
Playstore: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_middletonpolice.layout&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5hcHBfbWlkZGxldG9ucG9saWNlLmxheW91dCJd
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