Staff writer Lance Coleman, Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee)

Anyone in Blount County can now have instant access to information alerts from law enforcement via a new messaging system that the Blount County Sheriff’s Office introduced Friday.

TipSoft is a text messaging system and email alert service, similar to the Reverse 911 system, that allows law enforcement to communicate with the public regarding events in Blount County – crime incidents, fugitives, Amber Alerts and other emergencies, according to the Sheriff’ s Office.

“The TipSoft messaging system will be a great way to get information out quickly, and in real time,” Blount County Sheriff James Berrong said.

According to a news release, TipSoft users must register for the service at http://www. tipsoft. com, clicking the link for the Citizen Sign Up page. Residents can sign up for alerts that affect the area where they live, or can choose the option for all alerts affecting Blount County, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Blount County Communications Center will serve as a clearinghouse for the TipSoft alerts.

The program is funded through a grant provided by the Blount County Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team, under the direction of the Blount Memorial Foundation and Community Outreach.

Blount County is the first county in Tennessee to implement TipSoft, officials said. For more information regarding the TipSoft system, call Sgt. Jeff Hicks at 865-273-5354.

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