Sheriff unveils app to track Delco’s Most Wanted

MEDIA » The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department has gone hi tech in an effort to gain more public engagement.

On Wednesday, Sheriff Mary McFall Hopper rolled out the department’s new smart-phone app, available for free through the iPhone app store and the Google app store under the name “Delaware County PA Sheriff’s Office.”

“The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is releasing this innovative mobile app as a public service to our residents,” Hopper said. “The app will empower the public to partner with us in public safety ... It will also allow easy access to information about all divisions in the Sheriff’s office in order to provide better service to the residents. It’s a great way to provide information.”

The app enables users access to 21 options, including information on obtaining a gun permit or license, Sheriff’s sales, Amber Alerts, Delco’s Most Wanted and a way to provide anonymous tips through “Submit A Tip.” There are also links to Megan’s Law searches and the Delaware inmate search.

The app was developed through TheSheriffApp. com, a division of OCB LLC.

Suzy Keenan, communication strategist for the company, explained that the app is active in approximately 40 other emergency management offices throughout the country. Others participating in Pennsylvania include Berks, Indiana, Lancaster and York counties.

“We’re really a custom mobile app developer so all of our custom apps reflect the branding, the features and the communications needs of each agency,” she said.

Keenan said the Delco Sheriff’s app will be able to send users alerts for such things as a new warrant issued or a missing person or notices of the county courthouse being closed.

“The Sheriff’s office County will be able to quickly send out an alert countywide to any resident who has downloaded the app,” she said.

Delaware County Executive Director Marianne Grace said the app may have potential for other departments as well, as Keenan said her company has also developed apps for parks and recreation and public health departments in other parts of the country. Delaware County does not have its own health department, though.

“We hear about the other work that they do with emergency management so it’s certainly something that we would want to look at,” Grace said. “The Sheriff’s driving it but it’s certainly something that has a great application through the county.”

For the Sheriff, this app is a way to inform the public of the work her office does while also giving residents another avenue to interact with the department.

“As you know, the way we communicate has changed drastically over the years and this app is a prime example of that,” Hopper said. “Research shows that 77 percent of the United States’ adult population rely on their smart phones to keep them informed.”

Now, they’ll have a quick link to law enforcement.

“This app allows access to information of all aspects of the work done here from the service of civil documents to the process for our monthly’s Sheriff’s sale and how to apply for a license to carry a permit,” Hopper explained. “We sometimes have extended hours on Saturday so they can check there to see.”

The Sheriff had only recommendation for public: “Download it check it out.” one the and