Many communities offer some type of sign-up mechanism for residents to register to receive automated notifications. Good idea. However, there's usually a struggle to get people to actually go to the trouble of signing up.
Advertising and public relations campaigns help. Major events do, too. Sign-up rates have been reported higher when there's a well-known public threat (i.e. higher rates reported during San Diego wildfires).
Here's a new twist. It comes from Dubuque, Iowa where a financial incentive is offered for notification sign-up. The city has agreed to waive fines for illegal parking in snow clearance routes, if residents sign up to receive automated notifications. If they don't sign up, they could be fined $30 per violation. (See local article here.)
Said Captain Scott Crabill of Dubuque PD, “I have a bunch of dismissed tickets sitting on my desk. Half of the people coming in with tickets are signing up for CodeRED for the very first time. The others are updating their personal information due to recent moves and phone number changes. It has been a GREAT public relations win for the police department. Citizens are happy because they are getting the fine removed and they’ll get the latest updates on snow removal. It’s one of the few times when people arrive with tickets and leave happy.”
Good creative problem solving, Dubuque!
All the best,
Rick
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