Yakima Police Use Public Alert System for Safety Notices

Did you get a message from Yakima Police on your cell phone last night? Maybe an alert? It's called Code Red Public Alert System and depending on where you live you may recieve a phone call or text if there's an emergency in your area.

OPERATED BY EMERGENY MANAGEMENT BUT USED BY AGENCIES

The system is operated by the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management as a way to target specific areas with information. Capt. Chad Janis with the Yakima Police Department says the system was used on Wednesday night and Thursday morning as police were searching for a missing edlerly person. The person was found unharmed by officers early Thursday morning after walking in the west area of the city for several hours.

NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO ARE MISSING

Janis says the system is used for a variety of reasons including a big fire or flood or a missing elderly person who could be in danger just like the situation in Yakima on Wednesday and Thursday.

READ MORE: CELEBRATE THE IRISH ON A YAKIMA TROLLEY

TARGETING PEOPLE IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTY

Police say when there's an emergency or a need to contact people in the area the system is used to target cell phones in the area with information that could be used to help people escape or in the case of a missing person people who could help locate the person. It's an automated system that Janis says is designed to alert cell phones in an area around the emergency. Tony Miller is Director of Yakima County Office of Emergency Management who says the system alerts cell phones in the area through text messages and or automated phone calls.

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR ALERT YAKIMA TODAY

While you don't have to sign up for Alert Yakima Miller says it's a great idea. If you sign up you'll be alerted when there's an emergency in your area that could impact you. You can sign up right here today but it's not a requirement.