BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office announced the formal launch of the Berkeley County Sheriff App – a communications tool that helps the Sheriff’s Office share emergency alerts and news with the public and allows residents to report crime tips.
The app allows the Sheriff’s Office to distribute a number of departmental activities and updates including community service events, information on people wanted by the department, missing person alerts and scam alerts.
The app also allows residents, who may be scared to come forward with information of open investigations, to share what they know by a push of a button or commend an officer for his or her work.
Major Melissa Blanchard of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, who developed the app and maintains it for the county, said this new technology increases the connection between the public and the deputies.
“Our daily job is to protect and serve,” said Blanchard. “Along with our Facebook page and Twitter feed, this new app allows us to better protect and serve, while also improving the ability of the public to help fight crime. Moreover, we are able to provide this service at no cost to the taxpayers.”
While Major Blanchard developed the app, the $1,190 set-up fee and $890 annual operation cost is funded directly from cash seized in drug busts.
Berkeley County Sheriff C. W. “Butch” Henerey commended Blanchard for her work and touted the funding source.
“I have been in law enforcement for 35 years,” said Henerey. “I can assure you that when I started, I never imagined such a tool to help fight crime. I thank Major Blanchard for creating this tool and am pleased that we are able to use drug dealers’ money to stop drug dealers and other criminals.”
The app is free to download on Android and Apple app stores. If residents do not have a smartphone, they may receive text alerts by signing up at: https://www.berkeleycountysc.gov/drupal/sheriff/apparrest
Recent Comments