Cranford Police Department 2011 Annual Report - Cranford.com

2011 In Review
Cranford Police Department 2011 Events
Expanded Use of Social Media Implemented
Despite a very successful implementation of the
Nixle Alert System in August, 2010, we
announced in April that we were ending our use
of Nixle due to a business decision by Nixle to
change our free service to a paid service at a
cost of $3,000 - $5,000 per year. We felt this
cost was not in the best interest of the
taxpayers.
Due to the loss of the Nixle Alert System we
immediately created Facebook and Twitter
accounts in April. These additional options have
increased our ability to get important, timely
information to the community.
In August the Cranford Police Department was
pleased to announce the re-implementation of
the Nixle Alert System. We were notified that
Nixle had changed their decision regarding costs
and was again offering public safety agencies the
full use of the Nixle Alert System at no cost.
The reimplementation of the Nixle Alert System
could not have come at a more critical time.
When the township was struck by Hurricane
Irene in August we used Nixle and our social
media accounts before the storm to prepare our
residents and issue a mandatory evacuation.
After the storm we used it to assist in the
recovery efforts; however, most importantly we
used it during the storm when the police
department was evacuated and phone service
lost. We were able to get the word out to
thousands of citizens despite being displaced
from our building. Facebook even allowed us
two way communication with citizens, both near
and far.
The Facebook, Twitter, and Nixle accounts are all
used by the department and compliment our
web site. The choice of notification systems also
give subscribers a multitude of options of how
they want to be notified. These include viewing
a webpage, text message, and/or email.
Nixle notifications can be viewed online at:
http://local.nixle.com/cranford-policedepartment
Twitter notifications can be viewed online
at: https://twitter.com/CranfordPD
Facebook notifications can be viewed
online at: http://www.facebook.com/
CranfordPD
Santa Deliveries Continue
The twelfth annual Santa Home Deliveries
almost didn't happen this year due to the
flood waters of Hurricane Irene; however
the Cranford Jaycees stepped in to assist the
PBA in continuing this great program. With
the help of the Jaycees, Fire Department,
and PBA we delivered over 200 gifts to
about 100 homes. Collected toys were
donated to the Overlook Hospital Pediatric
Unit, Holy Redeemer DYFS Outreach, and
the US Marine Corps. Toys for Tots boxes at
the Cranford Fire Department. Santa’s
helpers are shown at left before a busy night
Cranford Police Department—2011 Annual Report 62