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1 <br />DATE: July 7, 2009 <br />TO: Mike Morrison, City Manager <br />FROf L, John Ohl, Chief of Police <br />UB <br />SJECT: NIXLE Alert System - <br />As you are aware, our city currently has a list server email alert system. In the past we have <br />looked at geographic based systems such as -City Watch " We previously decided City Watch <br />was too expensive and we were waiting for Ramsey County to provide access to their City <br />Watch system. Ramsey County has recently stopped supporting then. City Watch system, citing <br />Problems with the software. <br />Chief Malenick recently brought my attention to a subscriber based system that is completely <br />free to governmental agencies. This system is called NIXLE (www.NIXLE coral NI7{LE <br />claims that they are the first standardized, secure, and certified .. communication platform for <br />local police departments. NIXLE is a privately held technology and information company <br />founded in early 2007. <br />Residents sign up and input information which then allows for general or geographically based <br />alerts to be sent by a text message, web, and email. <br />NIXLE claims to have a separate revenue stream which is independent from the government <br />mes <br />service. They also certify that no advertisement will appear with a governmental sage. <br />Several MN cities such as New Hope, Minneapolis, St, Paul, and Brooklyn Park are <br />using the system. already <br />As mentioned, the service is free to our residents. A simple registration requires the person's <br />name and address (for alerts targeted for geographical areas) along with their email address <br />and/or text pager number. The user creates an account where they manage their own user name <br />and password and add additional locations (for example: their work address) to receive alerts <br />specific to these areas. Users have complete control over the messages they receive and where <br />those messages are delivered. There isn't any interaction or coordination between the agency <br />and the user in managing subscriber information. <br />For the agency, the applicdfion provides a web form to create and distribute notifications, An <br />alert or notification can be targeted to a geographical area. <br />The system seems straight forward and a viable alternative to the very expensive City Watch. <br />However, I do have two concerns: <br />