Sarpy County law enforcement released a new app in early March that allows citizens to report issues and send alerts.
The app,”See It, Say It, Send It,” was produced by Kevin Angell of Florida 18 months ago, and allows citizens to stay connected to law enforcement by relaying suspicious behavior back to the police.
“Law enforcement in Central Nebraska relayed to us that the app was successful, so we decided to give it a try after receiving a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” said Sgt. Brian Stolley, La Vista Special Operations Officer.
The smartphone app is currently being used in 22 other states, and its sole purpose is to provide citizens with more effective communication tools for reporting crime. However, citizens are reminded it is not a replacement of 911. They are asked to call 911 for immediate emergencies.
Sgt. Howard Banks said he believes the new app will be a tremendous help to Sarpy County.
“I think it’s a great way for people to relay information back to us in order to help save lives and be aware of surroundings,” he said. “The only negative side is that it’s intended more towards the younger generation who reply on using smartphones rather than calling police and having them come to a scene or something. It will be interesting to see what the future holds.”
Bellevue is the largest and oldest city in Sarpy County with a low crime rate.
The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department hopes that over time, the crime prevention app will lead to better lives and create a better atmosphere for all. The motto: see something, say something.
