With smartphones, tips, evidence go directly to dispatcher at APD
Crime fighting? There’s now an app for that – or at least one for local residents as the Andalusia Police Department announced Tuesday it is partnering with LiveSafe to offer a mobile app to report emergencies and anonymously report crime tips.
The app was designed by Kristina Anderson, a sophomore at Virginia Tech who was shot three times on April 16, 2007, when in less than 12 minutes, the gunman shot and killed 11 of her classmates and one of her professors.
Anderson believes that technology can save lives.
“If smartphone capability was as widespread back then, I probably would have seen an email, texts or pictures all pointing to this one incident on campus, but we had no prior knowledge anything was going on,” Anderson said during an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
It’s that instantaneous information that the APD wants to capitalize on, said Sgt. Jason Curry Tuesday. Curry said the app enables citizens to safely share tips, receive important emergency notification from law enforcement and gives them the ability to anonymously report crime tips directly to the police.
The app works via the Internet, meaning it can be used on smartphones and tablets alike.
Users can also anonymously record crime-scene audio, video and images tagged with GPS information for investigators and officials.
Once a user submits a tip, such as an accident, robbery or drug crime, the information goes directly to the APD dispatch center, which then dispatches help. Curry said the program also allows for push notifications, emails and voice, using either data or Wi-Fi connections.
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The Covington Historical Society meeting will be held at 7 p.m. tonight, in the Dixon Memorial Room of the Andalusia Public Library.
The early life and military service in WWII of the late Dr. William G. Cumbie will be presented by his daughter, Caroline Cumbie Picking. Her mother may have a part, too, in this presentation.
Andalusia Star News
A press conference is set for 2 p.m. today in Andalusia City Hall.
The event was announced by the mayor’s office last week, and is set for the second floor.
The announcement said the press conference is regarding investigation into the conduct of certain employees of the Andalusia Utilities Board.
Two weeks ago, Mayor Earl Johnson acknowledged in a written statement that he has asked the Andalusia Police Department to conduct an investigation into the conduct of a number of sewer and water department employees.
The statement came after word spread Tuesday that the APD had executed a search warrant at a home in Red Level. Chief Wilbur Williams confirmed...READ MORE>
Andalusia Star News
Alyssa Perry, the 2-year-old daughter of Sarah Walker, was having herself a grand ol’ time Friday playing at Robinson Park before the late afternoon thunderstorm rolled into Andalusia.
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Troy Brown and Scott Brown will open the doors to Zaxby’s Monday. The new restaurant is located at 1000 River Falls St., near the Covington Mall Shopping Center. Zaxby’s will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
The new 3,652-square-foot location will seat 72 in Zaxby’s unique design — a bright, open interior décor complemented by custom vintage prints and school memorabilia. Zaxby’s also offers drive-thru services to meet the needs of customers on the go.
Scott Brown believes the restaurant — from the atmosphere to the service — will exceed community expectations. “We’ve assembled a... READ MORE>