By Mary O’KEEFE

Capt. David Silversparre took the opportunity of National Night Out on Tuesday to announce the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s new phone notification system called “nixle.”
“This system provides information directly from the sheriff’s [specific] geographic area,” Silversparre said.
The system will disperse information either to an individual’s email account or to a cellphone. Information from road closures to emergency evacuations will be sent out from the station.
The messages will at times include general information from the department, like missing persons, but will primarily provide up-to-date notices directly from Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.
“It will be good and accurate information. A lot of times people will hear rumors about something that has happened.  This gives us the opportunity to get the truth out,” Silversparre said.
He added the system has already been tested and was a great success with the recent Crown Fire and Briggs Fire.
“We want to get the word out and get people to sign up for the [program],” he added.
To sign up visit the website www.nixle.com. Information concerning the program will be on the home page. Click on “Start receiving alerts today” or “Try the system for 90 days.”  The signer will be prompted to create a user name and password. Then enter user’s address and click to sign up. To customize, the user can go to the website and click “Locations” then “Add Location” on the left of the screen.
The Sheriff’s department suggests using this Locations tab to allow other addresses outside the chosen main area.  This is to keep track of an area where family members live or if a student is away at college and parents want that extra comfort of knowing what is happening in the area.
Visitors to the sight can click on “Settings” and sign up for  additional programs including updates on traffic and weather.
“If the [Foothill] 210 freeway is closed that information will be sent to you,” Silversparre said. “Like Twitter and other [social networking], it is another way to communicate.”

  Crescenta, Nixle, Silversparre