Hello. I have scribbled as a newspaper reporter since 1994, earning my stripes in southern Vermont and spending most of my career in New Hampshire. I love the privilege of being a reporter - telling the community about itself, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
During the shootings at Virginia Tech, the university sent out e-mail warning to students.
The system is commonly called Reverse 911. It allows law enforcement and other agencies to alert residents about danger.
A Web-based system called CrimeWeb.net relies on a similar system.
Here's how it works: Neighbors register at www.CrimeWeb.net and receive specific alerts from any ZIP code. The Web site's technology allows a subscribing police agency to distribute alerts anywhere in the country. Alerts can be sent to subscribers in specific zip codes, up to 99 miles surrounding a specific zip code or to all registered users between two zip codes.
Police departments in 12 states are registered with the system, according to the Texas company's Web site. The alerts run from missing children and community information to school news and major crime.
I wonder if the alerts have lead to tips and solving crime?
