Wilmington Police Dept. launches emergency alert system

Wilmington residents will soon be able to receive free text message and email alerts from the Wilmington Police Department. 

On Monday, May 5, the WPD will launch Nixle, a community-information service designed specifically for law enforcement. According to police spokespersons, the system will allow the WPD to notify the public of missing-person alerts, fugitives, significant crimes in progress and major traffic situations.

The messages will be directed to specific neighborhoods to advise residents of local information such as burglary patterns, flood warnings or police activity.

With Nixle, the department can issue alerts that simultaneously call landline phones, send text messages and emails and post to Facebook and Twitter. Subscribers can select how they receive their alerts.

To join, Wilmington residents can text their zip code to 888777 or visit nixle.com. Registration is free and users can customize their alert settings.

Anonymous tips

In addition to public notifications, the new system allows city police to recieve anonymous text messages from residents.

To submit an anonymous tip, residents should type TIP WILMINGTON, their message and then send to 888777. Along with messages, tipsters can also submit photographs to the WPD.

Police officials urge the public to continue to use 911 for all emergencies.