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Sheriff's office using Nixle to communicate

JANESVILLE — Get ready for around-the-clock information from the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office has started using the website Nixle.com to distribute news releases and other information to the public.

The site is a secure way to keep residents informed, Capt. Gary Groelle said.

"It's a great tool to get out social communications to people in the area so we can correspond with them—whether it is information about a crime or just things to remember about public safety," Groelle said.

Nixle communications will be the same information the sheriff's office has been sending and will continue sending to media outlets. The Rock County Sheriff's Office sends about three news releases each week, Groelle said. Most are issued during regular business hours. Content varies and can include public safety tips, information about sheriff's office events or classes, details about fatal car crashes and arrests of suspected repeat drunken drivers.

Government agencies or businesses can use Nixle to communicate with the public. The Beloit and town of Beloit police departments use Nixle. The Janesville Police Department has an account, but it is not actively used at this time, according to The Gazette's Nixle account.

To get Nixle updates from the Rock County Sheriff's Office, residents should sign up with an address in Rock County. Users may enter more than one address. For example, you could enter addresses for home, work and school.

It also is possible to sign up for alerts from participating agencies across the country. For example, you could enter your sister's address in Paolo Alto or the address of your vacation home near Minocqua.

Registrants can choose to get notifications by email or text message.