RAHWAY – The Rahway Police Department has decided to re-implement the Nixle Alert System.

In April the department decided to scale back using Nixle because the firm decided to change the department’s free service to a paid service at a cost of $3,000 - $5,000 per year, which department decided was not in the best interest of the taxpayers. On Aug. 11, the department was notified that Nixle has changed its decision regarding costs and will again offer public safety agencies the full use of the Nixle Alert System at no cost.

The Nixle Alert System allows the Rahway Police Department to send important, valuable community information directly to residents using the latest technology. The Nixle Service allows the police department to create and publish messages to be delivered to subscribed residents instantly via cellular phone text message (SMS) and/or e-mail. Notifications can also be accessed online at Nixle’s web site at local.nixle.com/Rahway-police-department.

Messages may include traffic updates and road closures, Amber Alerts, and emergency storm and flood notifications, as well as other relevant safety and community event information. According to Rahway Police Chief John Rodger, "We are pleased to again offer Nixle as a way to communicate with the Citizens of Rahway without incurring any additional costs for using this valuable service. The Nixle Alert system was our primary source of getting information to our residents during the recent hurricane. "

The service is reliable and free for governmental use. The messages are generally targeted specifically to residents registered within and immediately near a specific community, giving them the opportunity to receive trustworthy information relevant only to their neighborhood. Residents decide from which local agencies they want to receive information. Additionally, subscribers can choose the way in which alerts are received, whether it is by e-mail, text message, or via the Internet.

There is no spam and no hidden cost, although standard text messaging rates do apply. Nixle builds on the foundations of other public-to-public communication services and will work in conjunction with the Rahway Police Department’s web page and The County of Union’s First Alert System.

Residents of Rahway, and those in neighboring communities, can immediately begin receiving pertinent information via text message, email, and web by registering at nixle.com.