Fairfield County Sheriff's Office launches new app with local information on it
LANCASTER — The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office has joined some other Ohio sheriff departments by adding a smartphone app chock full of pertinent information for users.
"It's got a lot of information on there," Sheriff Alex Lape said. "We're still building it and refining it. But the buildout is complete."
The app has a multitude of features, including jail and inmate information, concealed carry information, sheriff sale data, weather information and more. It also has a place where people can submit a tip to the sheriff's office.
The app also contains press releases from the office and a list of community resources.
"That will take you to all the services that are offered in our community," Lape said of the latter. "The legal aid service, New Horizons, ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health). It even has information on each individual county commissioner."
Lape said the app was probably updated about 10 times over the weekend because of the winter weather. The app will also let users know the current snow level when it snows and offer winter driving safety tips.
"In the section for the jail you can see who's currently in jail and all the information you need about visitation, what to bring, about hours," Lape said. "Just all the information you can use."
Lape said his department can track how many people have downloaded the app.
"Other than that there's no other Big Brother, "1984" stuff going on," he said referring to George Orwell's "1984" novel.
However, Lape did not have the number of downloads on Tuesday but said people were talking about the app on social media.
Besides Fairfield County, Lape said sheriff offices in Pickaway, Seneca, Cuyahoga and Stark counties also have an app.
jbarron@gannett.com
740-304-9296
Twitter: @JeffDBarron
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Fairfield County Sheriff launches new app with with local information
