The Oconto County Sheriff’s Office now has its own app.
Smartphone users can use the app to sign up for Code Red alerts, see the latest news releases or browse mug shots of inmates at the Oconto County Jail, Sheriff Todd Skarban told the county board June 20.
Skarban said the app, customized for the local department from The Sheriff App, a product of OCV LLC, represents an innovative approach to information sharing.
“I truly believe that in order to build and maintain trust in county government and in government at all levels is through transparency,” he said.
Oconto is only the third or fourth county in Wisconsin to release an app, which can be downloaded for free at the App Store or Google Play by searching for “Oconto County Sheriff’s Office.”
“It opens our doors to the people,” Skarban said. “I serve at the consent of the governed, and the sheriff’s office is of, by and for the people. It’s important that we open the doors and that we are transparent in everything that we do.”
It’s about trust and accountability, he said, adding that the department is open to thoughts and suggestions about how to improve the app.
“This is just a launch, so if there’s any other information that we can have that we can put on here … we don’t have the market cornered on every single thing, but we are doing our best to keep you guys informed,” Skarban said.
Push notifications, such as when a traffic crash blocks lanes on the highway, will be added to the features once the staff has more training, he said.
County Board Chairman Alan Sleeter said he has had the app on his phone for about a month.
“It’s very good, very informative,” Sleeter said, adding with a smile, “so you can see how many of your neighbors are in jail.”
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
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