Did you receive an iPhone for Christmas? Here's an app to checkout...
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has launched CCSO2go, an innovative iPhone app that gives users an array of CCSO news and safety information at their fingertips.
CCSO is among just a handful of law enforcement agencies nationwide that offers its own iPhone application. The smart phone tool allows users to do everything from find out who has been arrested to obtain real-time traffic information and mapping to help them with their commutes. Users can also connect to the agency’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, get directions and call their local CCSO substation, read agency news releases and watch CCSO videos on YouTube.
CCSO2go is the latest in a series of initiatives Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk has rolled out follow through with his pledge to partner with the community through the use of technology.
“The more information our citizens have the safer our community will be,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “People are consuming information in new ways, and the best way for us to stay connected with our community is to reach out to them in the platforms they use.”
The application was developed by Patrol Captain Tim Guerrette. In addition to his career with the agency he is the owner of Naples Multimedia Services, which specializes in video production, website design and iPhone application development. Captain Guerrette provided the app to the agency at no cost.
Additional app features and an Android version of CCSO2go are in development.
CCSO2go is free and available at the iTunes App Store. Click here to watch a CCSO2go tutorial.
Sheriff Rambosk’s focus on social media has earned the agency national attention. The current issue of Sheriff Magazine, the official magazine of the National Sheriffs’ Association, features an article that spotlights CCSO’s social media efforts. In addition, when the International Association of Chiefs of Police Center for Social Media conducted case studies of agencies that are embracing social media in fall 2010, CCSO was one of the law enforcement organizations selected to be profiled.
In addition to CCSO2go, the agency’s social media platform includes:
* A Facebook fan page that features a broad range of crime and safety news, including videos and information organized in easy to navigate sections. Separate areas are established for youth, cold cases, and photos. There’s even a place where visitors can submit a tip and help solve a crime. Another section of the fan page offers downloadable computer wallpaper images. The page can be found at www.facebook.com/colliersheriff.
* A Twitter account where followers can stay up-to-date on news, information and live traffic updates that could affect their commute.
* The Collier Star e-newsletter, which delivers agency news to subscribers’ e-mail in-boxes daily.
* The Internet site www.ccso.tv, which offers CCSO-produced safety and crime-prevention videos, profiles of cold cases and unedited footage of CCSO press conferences.
* “On Scene,” a monthly television show that provides an up-close look at CCSO, information on how to stay safe, information on wanted criminals and more. “On Scene” airs on the Collier County government television channel, the Collier County School District’s Education Channel and http://www.ccso.tv/.
