Sheriff’s Office Launches ‘Citizen Connect’: A New Era of Transparency and Public Engagement
In a recent announcement, Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall unveiled a new web-based platform, “Citizen Connect.” This innovative tool allows residents to view the work that the Sheriff’s Office is performing in our communities in real-time.
To access Citizen Connect, users can visit MendocinoSheriff.org, click on ‘Publications,’ and then select ‘Citizen Connect.’ The platform presents various types of information on an interactive map, including arrests, calls for service, and incidents.
“Calls for service” refers to phone calls or text messages sent to the 911 dispatch center. It’s important to note that a call for service does not necessarily mean a responder was dispatched but rather that a call was placed.
“Incidents,” on the other hand, are calls that have resulted in a response by a first responder.
“Arrests” are the result of an incident or call for service where one or more subjects were placed under arrest.
Users can customize the date range to view different incidents on the map over various time periods. By clicking on the “incidents” tab, users can narrow down their search for specific incidents such as arson, fire, or traffic collisions.
When multiple incidents occur in one location, the data will group together, providing a list view on the right-hand side of the platform. A heat map option is also available, showing areas with high volumes of calls for service compared to areas with none. The current platform includes data from the past three months.
One of the standout features of Citizen Connect is the ability to create custom alerts. Users can set up notifications for certain events, which will be emailed to them when data matching their specified criteria is entered. This feature requires users to register with the platform, which is free of charge. Event notifications have the option for daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts.
Citizen Connect is a significant step forward in transparency and community engagement for the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. By providing residents with real-time access to data and the ability to customize alerts, the platform empowers citizens to stay informed about what’s happening in our communities.
For more information or to register for Citizen Connect, visit Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office website.
Citizen Connect Walkthrough
