Lakehurst Police Join Community Notification System

Lakehurst police now have another way to stay in contact with residents, as the department has joined the web-based Nixle alert service.

Residents can register for the free service either through the Nixle website or the Lakehurst Police Department's home page, according to Chief of Police Eric Higgins.

"The Lakehurst Police Department intends for Nixle to be an additional source of information for residents of Lakehurst," Higgins said. "Nixle will also be utilized to inform residents of safety tips, information about important events, details about traffic issues, and for the distribution of news releases."

Users will be asked for their name, address, email address and cell phone number at the time of registration. Additional addresses can be registered to receive alerts at more than one place, according to Higgins.

"Once registered, you will receive email alerts and text messages from authenticated agencies like ours who serve your community," Higgins said. "From within your Nixle account, you always have the option to define what notifications you receive and from whom. You may opt out of receiving messages from any participating agency."

The chief cautioned that the system does not replace emergency notifications made through the department's reverse 9-1-1 system. When immediate public action is necessary — such as during evacuations, shelter-in-place or imminent threat situations — the phone system will be the "primary" contact.

"In these situations, Nixle Alert messages will supplement reverse 9-1-1 notifications," Higgins said.