Alert system will enhance safety
If modern technology capable of
issuing warnings to the citizenry would have been
available in colonial America, Paul Revere would have
been just another silversmith.
Thanks to an alert system Brazoria County is now
employing, there’s no need to have somebody ride through
the countryside. There’s not even a need to tune in to
emergency broadcasts on television or radio. Residents
can get up-to-the-minute information on storms,
emergency road closures or even disease outbreaks sent
to their e-mail address, cell phone or pager.
Those who register on the
county’s Web site also can receive less alarming,
but still useful, information on tax deadlines, marriage
licenses and car registrations, thanks to the county’s
agreement with
GroupBuilder.net, a Friendswood company that
specializes in wireless alerts.
County Judge John Willy says there are any number of
purposes for which the system could be put to use —
officials are still considering the wide range of
possibilities.
“This information is information that comes directly
from the source. It’s quick and it’s accurate,” said
Group Builder’s Brenda Reed. Group Builder has been
providing alerts to communities for eight years and
designed Harris County’s Amber Alert system.
To sign up for the alerts, visit
www.brazoria-county.com and click on the “Subscribe”
link under “Latest Brazoria County News” on the right
side of the page.
The alerts are free and the county pays Group Builder
$5,000 a year to provide the service.
A system that can provide crucial emergency information
to enhance the safety and well-being of county residents
is welcome at any time, and the minimal cost of this
program makes it even more attractive.
The county’s expenditure is probably less than it would
cost to install a light in a church steeple and supply
feed for Paul Revere’s horse today.
