Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal announced today that the Sheriff’s Office has instituted a new state-of-the-art emergency alert system for parish residents.  The new system is designed to provide citizens with mobile alerts about any significant event that is occurring in the parish.  Notification is made by a text message sent to a mobile phone or email address.

 Mobile phone registration is simple.  Any person with a cell phone that receives text messages may text 888777 and enter their zip code as the message.  There is no charge for registering, but standard text messaging rates associated with the mobile phone service will apply.  Individuals may opt out of the service at any time by texting “STOP” to 888777.

 Complete registration, which will also include email notifications, can be completed online at www.nixle.com.   Individuals may customize information received and whether that information is sent to a  mobile phone, email address or both.

 Sheriff Randy Seal commented, “I am pleased that we are able to provide this valuable service to the citizens of Washington Parish.  Your safety is my number one priority and this new system will help keep our parish more secure by providing residents with current information about any major event that might affect the lives of our citizens.  I encourage everyone who has a cell phone to register that number and be on line to receive emergency notifications.”