Using the Sheriff's Office new mobile app

We recently updated our website to include a mobile app version for smart phones. On this mobile app, you can easily look up our most wanted list, search for sex offenders in Vernon County, read press releases and send anonymous tips by simply typing a message and clicking send.

This update was done because of the number of people identified through our website as accessing it via a mobile device instead of a computer. Since adding this service, we have also noticed a decline in the amount of people who call to report tips, and a sharp increase in the amount of people who are reporting tips over our mobile app from their phone.

I remember the first time I had someone "text" in sick. This was back when phones were used for calling and texting was just becoming popular but never used for any kind of formal contact. Now, even I must admit my phone is used for far more than just talking on the phone; and even though I was one of those people slow to make the change in this area of technology, it has many benefits. Unfortunately, technology can also be confusing and frustrating at times.

Sometime back, we received an "anonymous tip" through our mobile app that said, "Please have someone call me." We then received another message that said, "no one has called me back yet," and then a few days later received another message asking why we would not call them back or e-mail them.

Although we would have loved to contact the person to see how we could assist, unfortunately the anonymous submission link does not tell us who sends messages unless you add that information in the message. We also received a message a while back that said "someone may have just made a drug deal next to my house, please check on it." Many of our crimes have been solved with the help from the community by giving us information. In a way, the community is our most valuable crime-fighting tool.

There are a few things however that can help greatly when sending in messages through our mobile app system. The first thing that is very important to understand is that this is not an emergency contact option. If there is an emergency, please call 911! While we are currently working on a way for our dispatch center to be able to receive emergency texts, this system is currently checked periodically by designated people, but is not monitored 24/7 by the deputies who are responding to calls on the road.

The mobile app can be used to contact us if that is easier for some people, but remember to leave a call back number and name. For tips, no name or phone number is needed if the caller would like to remain anonymous, but remember to leave as many details as possible about the tip you are leaving (location, names of people involved etc.). Because this is only a notification system, it does not track where tips come from and will not allow us to reply to messages received through it.

I do not see the technological world slowing down anytime soon, and I'm guessing the fast changes in this area will continue to take place and we will do our best to keep the newest technology and user friendly systems available. If you have a smart phone and have not tried our mobile app make sure and check it out by going to www.VernonCoSheriff.org and then following the instructions that pop up on the phone to add the mobile app. Don't forget to send us the tips, and if you want to use this system to ask if you have warrants and leave your address for "verification" like someone did recently, well that's fine too!