On October 31, 2013, EXTEND COMMUNITY launched a new website for the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. VanderburghSheriff.com is devoted to providing Vanderburgh County residents with the latest information regarding the operations of the Sheriff’s Office as well as assisting with community policing efforts.
The new website will serve as an informational resource for the public and will be continually updated to provide citizens with the latest information available. One of the main goals of the website is to improve the efficiency of the Sheriff’s Office by reducing the number of inquiry calls, allowing them to devote more time and resources to the safety of the citizens of Vanderburgh County. The website will serve as a hub for two-way communication to push information to the public as well as receive public safety tips.
“This website contains a wealth of information and was created to be easily navigated,” said Shawn Collins, founder and president of the EXTEND GROUP, the Evansville, Ind.-based marketing firm to which EXTEND COMMUNITY belongs. “Because the information is so readily available, there will hopefully be less inquiry calls, which will be a huge benefit to the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the residents of Vanderburgh County.”
The new VanderbughSheriff.com standardizes the look of the Sheriff’s Office and effectively markets the VCSO, creating extensive brand benefits. The website will grow community equity and provide a single source of information for the community which allows users to sign up for multiple sources of information in one place. Another hope is that VanderbughSheriff.com will strengthen trust and enhance community relations with information on its educational programs such as the Sheriff’s Office Career Academy, K-9 demos, Chose Not to Lose program, and D.A.R.E.
The website will deliver as much timely and accurate information as is authorized to disclose. It links to a core database-keeping information in one location. It includes data collection of drunk driving, littering, theft, vandalism, drugs and child abuse. Other features include information on the jail and field operations, reports and permits, a tips line, and answers to frequently asked questions which will be expanded continuously. The website also includes public safety information on terrorism, the Internet, car seat regulations and when to call 911.
“The intent is for the public to visit the site frequently and become familiar with the tools on it, such as how to submit a crime, how to locate sex offenders, and where to find the latest news updates,” Collins said. “It encourages the public to take a more active role in community policing efforts.”
VanderburghSheriff.com is desktop-, tablet-, and mobile-friendly. It includes digital dashboards for internal reporting and has social media syndication and native mobile application capabilities. Future updates to the website will include an online education and certification platform, expanded children’s area with resources and downloads, native mobile applications with push notifications to specific zip codes, integration of internal document management system, and integration of intranet.
EXTEND COMMUNITY, an arm of the EXTEND GROUP, develops creative marketing solutions for its non-profit customers, as well as community service organizations, municipalities, and tourism or economic development groups. The EXTEND GROUP is a network of experienced designers, writers, marketing strategists, and technology professionals who specialize in the development of online businesses and other forms of branding. Located in Evansville, Ind., The EXTEND GROUP strives to provide simple and elegant solutions to complex problems relating to environments, devices, services, and systems.
For additional information, please contact The EXTEND GROUP at (812) 205-2106 or [email protected].
