LAPD Sergeant Cathy Riggs Writes Regarding LAPD Topanga Station’s Use Of Nixle Alert System
Sergeant Riggs writes in with regards to some recent commentary on the blog about the lacking of Nixle alerts during recent incidents. It should be noted that since the previously blog entry, there was also no notification during or after the Warner Center bomb scare incident earlier this week. However, a notification was issued with regard to police activity in West Hills this morning. So, maybe we are moving in the right direction.
Sergeant Riggs writes:
Guys,
Girard does have a point, and that is that the LAPD is using Nixle but the public’s expectations are sometimes higher than the amount of information put out. I am a Watch Commander at LAPD Topanga and use the system. What gets sent out depends on who the watch commander is that day, whether that person has been trained to use the system, how comfortable they feel about sending out messages, and if they have the time to do so. I think with time, training, and public support of the system, the quality and quantity of the messages will get better. Thanks for everyone’s support of our use of the system.
Sergeant Cathy Riggs Topanga Watch Commander
I really appreciate you writing in, Sergeant Riggs. Having heard the same from other sources, I was aware that the alerts being sent depended on who was working that day and if they were trained. I hope that you will work within your capacity and authority to get the other Watch Commander’s up to speed so that when emergency’s unfold the system can be used to send alert no matter who is on shift.
It seems to me that the LAPD does want to keep the community informed about what is happening in their neighborhoods. In my opinion, the Nixle system is a great step towards that – as long as it is used.
Hopefully Topanga Station’s head honcho Captain Sherman is aware of the community’s interest in this system, and procedures can be set up to make sure it is used when it should be.
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6 Responses to “LAPD Sergeant Cathy Riggs Writes Regarding LAPD Topanga Station’s Use Of Nixle Alert System”
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Girard,
2 weeks ago you were blasting the LAPD that everything should be sent out immediately, but now you understand why they are not sending out the notices? Get real dude. You knew it all the time.
John,
Man, you are an idiot. I understand why, and yes I did from the start. But, either way that’s speculation on my part. I had a couple of people familiar with it confirm that yes it was because they didn’t have people trained, and obviously the confirmation from Riggs shows they clearly haven’t made training the personnel to do the notifications a priority. My opinion on the situation hasn’t changed at all. They need to train everyone, and yep, send the notices out immediately. Did I contradict myself in some way?
If you don’t demand things from your government, you won’t get them. If I observe an inefficiency or a lack of respect for the needs or wants of the community, I am going to point it out.
If anything, I think bringing this to people’s attention has helped. So what’s your problem?
PS How is posing the question, “Is LAPD dropping the ball with Nixle notifications” blasting them? It’s simply pointing out an observation.
John, are you really that much of a sheep?
How do you know this is what the community wants? Do you have documentation that they do? Or is just you who wants it because you feel you are entitle to it you idiot?
Personally, I’ve noticed more relevant stuff coming out via Nixle since Girard started raising some awareness of the lack of reports around significant events. What use is a system like Nixle if it can’t help to provide information about local police activity in a timely and relevant basis?
So, as a community member, my vote goes to support Girard in this matter, and I am happy that Cathy and other LAPD folks seem to be making better use of the power of Nixle to keep interested folks informed on public safety issues as they occur in our neighborhood.
I also want to thank Girard for taking the time to create and maintain this blog – keep up the good work and don’t let folks like John bring you down with immature comments.