GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — A new phone app, called Relay, is giving taxpayers in Georgetown more access to their police department.
The app allows people to report non emergency situations, and officers can see the report immediately through the laptop in their cruiser.
The incident is then dispatched to closest officer who is free to look into it. Whoever sent the report can then track the officer in real time.
After it's resolved, the officer can communicate directly with the person who sent in the report and explain what happened.
Assistant Chief Robert Swanigan said the app was launched to encourage people to keep reporting issues when they otherwise wouldn't.
"Things that before we'd hear from citizens: 'well, we didn't want to bother you guys or we didn't think that much about it,'" Swanigan said. "The app...they can report it quickly."
He also said it's a faster alternative to social media which is not as closely monitored due to a small staff of people who check the sites.
GPD is doing a trial run of the app right now. When the trial ends, the department will assess its success and decide whether they want to move forward with the program.
Swanigan emphasized that all emergencies still need to be called in to 911. Relay is available through the app store and google play when you search "relay safety."
