Monday, August 3, 2015

Palm Beach Police Department Announces New myPD App Providing the Public New Ways to Connect

Palm Beach Police today announced the launch of their new app, My Police Department or MyPD for short. The free MyPD app allows citizens to download an app for their Android or iPhone and easily connect with the police department right from their device.

The app has over 40 features the department can turn them on and off depending on what they want to display at certain times. The MyPD app design is easy to use and features a sleek user interface.

“Everyone using the MyPD app can get important updates from us, such as push notifications, right on their cell phones,” said Captain Curtis Krauel. “We can send the notifications through twitter or our dashboard and the user doesn’t need an account or worry about missing an important tweet or message. We encourage users to opt in to messages if they want to be informed quickly of new updates or alerts.”

Crime and safety issues are also important for citizens to know about. The app includes resources and links on a number of topics; such as, FEMA, National Terrorism Advisory System, Missing Children, Weather services, PBSO booking blotter, press releases, and many more. There are also four background screens to swipe through and can be updated with pictures or wanted persons, missing people, or announcements.

Sending in tips about crimes or other quality of life issues is another way citizens can use the Palm Beach Police MyPD app. It allows the user to either attach their contact information or send it anonymously. Photos and GPS locations of incidents can also be attached from either the phone’s gallery or live camera.

“The MyPD app is tools for citizens to keep on their phones” Captain Krauel explained, “so when they need a phone number, want to send a crime tip, or want to find out about upcoming events and police activity, they have it readily available in an easy to use app.” While the app links to or integrates with some social media, police say it is not another social network. There are also no ads on the app and no account is necessary to use MyPD.

While the app is not a social media platform, it does have some social aspects to it and has a feature where users can “unlock” badges the more they use the app and interact with the police department. “Basically the app user can climb in rank and unlock new badges,” said Captain Krauel. “It’s a way to reward users who stay active in their communications with not only our Police Department, but with others around the country.”

Users can choose not only the Palm Beach Police with the MyPD app but they also have the option to view other police departments by choosing a different city or state. The app defaults to the last agency viewed upon opening, this makes it easy for access just to the Palm Beach Police Department. “We understand a large majority of our community resides outside of the state. The MyPD app can still be utilized to find other law enforcement agencies in their community on the MyPD platform.”

MyPD is free for residents, contains no advertising, and users do not need to share personal information or set up an account to use the app. Any information sharing is optional.

Citizens looking to connect with the Palm Beach Police should search for “MyPD” in their app store. Once the app is downloaded and the agency is chosen, it will always open to the Palm Beach Police Department and its resources.

For more information, please call the Community Relations Unit at 561-838-5467, or visit us at www.palmbeachpolice.com.