The Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has unveiled a new smartphone application alongside an updated website, aiming to enhance communication with the community. Sheriff Russell Thomas emphasized that this app is designed to place vital information directly in the hands of the public, fostering a more interactive relationship between the sheriff’s office and the citizens it serves.
“We hope this opens another line of communication with the public,” Thomas remarked, adding that the app will also serve as an educational tool about the sheriff’s office and its community services.
The app, developed by TheSheriffApp.com, a division of OCV, LLC, specializes in creating mobile applications tailored for sheriff’s offices and public safety organizations nationwide. This partnership aims to leverage technology to enhance public safety and engagement.
Features of the New App
Users can easily access a variety of information through the app, including:
- Sheriff’s welcome message
- Inmate and jail information
- Registered sex offenders
- School safety resources
- Pistol permit applications
- Cyber safety tips
- Crime tip submissions
- Contact information for the sheriff’s office and more
Kevin Cummings, Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at OCV, noted that over 80 percent of Americans rely on smartphones for communication. He stated, “Mobile apps offer agencies a better way to alert, inform, and prepare the public. They enable public safety agencies to reach and serve their citizens where they are: on their smartphones.”
According to Sheriff Thomas, the app is a significant tool for public benefit. “We’ve updated our website,” he explained. “But the app is new and allows people to access all the information on our website from their phones. It’s a way for us to stay in touch with the community. Whether in emergency situations or for something as simple as a road closure, this app provides another avenue for us to communicate effectively with the public.”
