RATHCORMAC & DRUMCLIFFE COMMUNITY ALERT

Welcome to the webpage for the Rathcormac & Drumcliffe Community Alert Group

Aims of the Group: 

(i)  The replacing of existing community alert signs where necessary and erecting new signs where needed. Should you consider need for a new sign in your area please contact your local coordinator or a committee member.

(ii) The establishment of BE “ALERT SMS” (short message service).  This is a quick and simple way to communicate short messages via mobile phone. Its popularity is mainly due to its convenience and cost effectiveness. BE ALERT SMS is the group texting service for community alerts in conjunction with the Garda. Details of how BE ALERT SMS works will be outlined in the next issue of this Newsletter. 

‘Be Alert SMS’ - How it Works…

Here’s a brief description of how the Be Alert SMS scheme works:

(i)        Each person in the scheme gives their mobile phone number to their Area Coordinator. No name is necessary just the phone number (mobile).

(ii)      The Committee then submits the list of numbers to a group text provider (in our case Grapevine Communications based in  Bishopstown Co Cork).

(iii)     The provider then sets the numbers up on a database.

(iv)    If a person notices something unusual or suspicious to them in his or her area, they dial the local Garda station 915700.

(v)      The Garda then investigates and checks out the information

(vi)    if the Garda then considers it necessary Grapevine Communications are contacted.

(vii)   By a password procedure the relevant information is then communicated by text message to all registered mobile numbers in our area.

Sample text message: “A green Ford Mondeo was stolen in XXX area last night, Reg No XXXX, please report any sightings to your local Gardaí”.

It is important to remember that Grapevine Communications adhere to all Data Protection Legislation. They never store recipients’ names, only their numbers. They also guarantee that they never pass any numbers to third parties. It is essential to remember that all inquiries must be conducted only by the Gardaí.