Keeping informed about crime in your neighborhood is easy as reading a text.
The Chicago Police Department will send out texts and e-mails alerts to Chicago residents about child abductions, crimes or community meetings through a new service called Nixle.
"We're just trying to get as many ways out there that you can look at what's going on at the Police Department," Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis told the Chicago Tribune.
Nixle went live Sunday at chicagopolice.org, and joined other CPD digital initiatives such as their Facebook page and blog. Weis compared the new service to Twitter and said users can get targeted information and even photographs sent their way.
Interested parties can register there to receive the messages on their phone or their inbox.
Residents can choose which area Nixle alerts focus on, including the city, their neighborhood or near their children's school. However, users can only call in tips.
Nixle is free, but standard text message rates apply.
