Increasing numbers of law enforcement agencies are using Web sites and other social media outlets to communicate with the public to help solve crimes and to let people know about crimes happening near them.

Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has joined these agencies and has implemented a new communication tool designed to deliver vital information to residents in real time.

According to 911 Supervisor Donna Rutledge: “DCSO can now send e-mails or text messages to subscribers and provide information about a road blockage, predator in the area, missing/lost/wanted persons, scam alerts, as well as other relevant safety and community event information.”

Residents enter his or her street address when signing up for the free service and will receive pertinent information for their specific area. It can be pinpointed to a street or county-wide blasts may be sent.

“Residents need not worry about being sent information continuously, which would defeat the purpose,” said Rutledge.

The service is free, but text messaging rates do apply.

To sign up, visit www.nixle.com.

“We have also expanded our online community to include a ‘Sheriff’s Bulletin Board’ that provides not only a direct link to Nixle, but also allows citizens to communicate electronically with the Sheriff’s Office,” Rutledge said.

The public may submit crime tips or other information via the online form, which is routed directly to a Dawson County Sheriff’s Office administrator for review.

Although the form includes places for contact information, tips may be left anonymously.

To access the “Sheriff’s Bulletin Board” or pages on Nixle, Facebook or Twitter visit www.dawsoncountysheriff.org.

For more information, contact Donna Rutledge at (706) 344-3535.