Watsonville Police unveil new crime reporting tool alongside new mobile app
Watsonville residents are being introduced to somewhat of a rarity for the Central Coast.
It comes in the form of a new Watsonville Police Department App, which has a number of community resources within its interface.
“We’re hoping that it’ll make it a lot easier for residents to get a hold of the police department,” says Michelle Pulido–she had a hand in the functions of the app as the Media and Communications Specialist with the Watsonville Police Department. “Whether it’s about filing a police report or notifying us about abandoned vehicles.”
Or if you simply want to know what’s going on in the city or stay notified of any police activity in the area.
The Watsonville Police Department App has that feature, too.
“For instance if there’s certain police activity in the neighborhood and streets are blocked off. We’re able to send alerts through that app and warn residents of what’s happening in their neighborhood,” Pulido says.
The app’s lunch does come with some skepticism. Cabrillo College student Gonzalo Serrano questioned the usefulness of an app as his belief is that apps often get “outdated” and “freeze up sometimes.”
“Would you really trust an app to tell you about crime going on in your city?” Serrano says.
Overall, Watsonville Police say the app, along with the new crime reporting tool, will allow residents to help prevent crime and help police to detain suspects.
“When someone goes into the app and opens it they can send us any sort of tips on any information they may have. They also have the option to remain anonymous,” says Pulido.
Pulido adds Watsonville Police are not completely eliminating the idea of meeting face-to-face with a police officer if an incident comes up. The police department is simply offering different options for residents to choose from to interact with police.
The app can also help residents get to know their police officers more as it will feature officers out and about in the community.
You can get the app by searching “Watsonville Police Department” through your iPhone or Android device’s respective mobile app stores.
The app is free and if you wish to report a crime or violation you can do so anonymously if you wish.
