Crime & Safety

State Emergency Alerts Now Available by Text Message

State police and emergency management officials have a new way for residents to get critical public safety information.

Garden State residents will now be able to receive emergency alerts and public safety information on mobile devices through a free online service, state officials said.

New Jersey State Police and the state’s Office of Emergency Management are using Nixle to send the alerts via web-based posts, text messages and email alerts, the agencies said.

“This service is provided at no cost to the department, taxpayers or residents and unlike other social media applications, Nixle does not contain any third-party advertisements,” according to a state police news release.

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Messages from state troopers would include missing persons alerts (including AMBER Alerts), crime information, traffic incidents causing major delays, community outreach and other public safety alerts.

The state’s emergency management office said it would use the service to send information on large-scale emergencies and disasters, evacuations and some alerts from county and federal agencies.

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"This service allows us to send real-time information directly to the public in critical situations. Whether it's a natural disaster alert or a missing child advisory, we can now reach New Jersey residents wherever they may be," said State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, who is also state OEM director.

State residents can register for the alert system by sending a text message with their zip code to 888777 (data rates may apply depending on your plan). Registration is also available online at www.nixle.com.

The Nixle service is also available for , and . 

The county’s emergency management office also provides text message and e-mail alerts through a different sytem. Registration is available at www.bcoem.org

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