CITY OF JACKSONVILLE LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY INFORMATION SERVICE

I thought those who have home in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida may find this
information helpful:

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY INFORMATION SERVICE



Free service allows citizens to receive local government information through
e-mail and text

The City of Jacksonville recently launched a new community information
service designed to deliver important and timely information to area
residents using the latest technology.

Jacksonville residents are encouraged to take advantage of Nixle by
registering at http://www.nixle.com. A direct link to the
Nixle site may also be found on the City of Jacksonville homepage at
http://www.coj.net

Registering for Nixle is easy. Residents will simply create a log-in by
entering their wireless phone number, e-mail address and the area(s) of town
or address(es) they are interested receiving notifications for.

Residents, business owners and media can elect to receive messages as
e-mails, text messages and/or over the Web. Registrants can also further
customize their accounts to receive secure and reliable messages and
information about only what is most important to them.

The site allows for the immediate release of geographically-targeted,
time-sensitive information and alerts such as road closures, community and
special events, city programs and services, library information, public
safety incidents, as well as, messages from city leaders. In addition,
Nixle will serve as an invaluable tool during times of emergency, such as
severe tropical weather.


Messages are communicated on four levels-Alert (Must Know), Advisory (Need
to Know), Community (Want to Know) and Traffic (Should Know).



Nixle is a secure communications platform that allows only authorized city
staff to send information directly to a subscriber's wireless device and
e-mail. Nixle does not use the information for any marketing or unwanted
solicitations.

In the ever-changing world of communications, Nixle was determined to be a
good fit for two main reasons: cost and security. The service is free for
subscribers (standard text message rates apply) and is offered at no cost to
public safety agencies and municipalities.

It is important to note that Nixle is intended to provide quick and direct
communications but it will not replace traditional methods for two-way
communications with the public. Residents may continue to continue to
utilize www.coj.net and (904) 630-CITY (2489) for
detailed information about city government.

Nixle Background:

Nixle is a community information service provider built exclusively to
provide secure and reliable communications. It is the first authenticated
and secure service that connects municipal agencies and community
organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to
geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text
messages), through e-mails and via Web access.

Nixle has secured a partnership with Nlets (the International Justice and
Public Safety Network), allowing local police departments nationwide to send
immediate alerts and advisories. Privately-funded, Nixle, which has offices
in New Jersey and California, is free to all governments, their agencies and
organizations, nongovernmental organizations and consumers. For more
information, visit www.nixle.com.