Wayne County DA comes clean

Text messaging a tool for getting the word out and in

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County District Attorney Michael Lehutsky, the state police, Honesdale Borough police and a group of other local police agencies have developed a program that will make the county more safe and secure.

“The program is called CLEAN, which stands for County Law Enforcement Alert Network,” Lehutsky said to the county commissioners at their meeting on December 2.

CLEAN is an optional wireless text messaging system that allows the public to receive alert notifications when law enforcement agencies can use their help. The system, which will affect Wayne County only, alerts subscribers whenever the police determine that the public can assist their efforts by reporting their observations.

“CLEAN helps multiple eyes and ears of law enforcement throughout the county and reinforces the connection between the police and the community they serve,” he said. “Since we are a rural community spread over hundreds of square miles, vital information is hard to disseminate. This program will help with that problem.”

It has been determined that 84 percent of cell phone users carry their phones with them 24-7, and text messages are opened and read immediately, he said. “Text messaging systems are the best means for reaching a mobile population.”

“A good example of how this system would have helped is the large fire we recently had on East Street,” said Honesdale Deputy Chief Joe Lobasso. “We could have warned people about the fire and told them to avoid that section of Honesdale. It can be a big help in diverting traffic from an emergency or just be able to warn about something that could be harmful to the population.”

The decision to alert is made by law enforcement based upon the particular incident in question, Lehutsky said. If a resident witnesses some emergency event, he or she should contact the police department or call 911 to have the event put on the system, he said.

“There is no cost to register to receive these text messages,” he said. “All you need is a cell phone capable of receiving text messages. You can get more information and register to receive alert messages at www.co.wayne.pa.us/WayneCLEAN.”

There is no danger to your privacy, he said. “The information you provide will be used solely for the CLEAN initiative and will not be shared with additional parties,” he said. “It will not share your information with any other organization except as required to provide the actual alert service.”

For more information call Lehutsky at 570/253-5970.