MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) A new app aimed at curbing crime is now available in the Port City. Just two days after it launched and 1,500 folks have signed up.
The app is called NextDoor and operates sort of like Facebook. You log on and connect with other people in your neighborhood to keep an eye on each other.
Before sunrise, officers were at Darrius Thornton's home at Doby Court and Biloxi Avenue after he says someone tried to break in. Thornton said his daughter was the one who heard the intruder.
"She said that someone was tapping on her window. I just jumped up out of my sleep and just put clothes on and ran outside," Thornton told Local 15.
Thornton ran outside to find a broken window. Thankfully nothing worse happened. Something that would have come in handy for Thornton is NextDoor.
It's an app the pinpoints locations and helps users find crimes in their area. Even better, it's connected to the Mobile Police Department who will also send out alerts when something happens in your neighborhood.
"We believe connected communities are safer communities," said First Precinct Captain Roy Hodge. "It's a very simple app to use. It's something that everyone with a smart phone can be involved in."
NextDoor started in the first precinct and is currently active in the Riverpark area. Capt. Roy Hodge said in fact folks there used it Wednesday morning when someone illegally dumped trash in their neighborhood.
"Someone in one part of the neighborhood may have seen a vehicle pull in, maybe a truck or trailer hauling a load of debris. Someone else may have seen them pulled off the side of the road and didn't think a lot about it," added Capt. Hodge.
"The advantage is it's a virtual neighborhood watch in which we can reach multitudes of citizens with the touch of button," added Mobile Police Chief James Barber.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thornton said he hadn't heard anything from police about the person who tried to break into his home. So he said he will continue to keep an eye on his neighbors and download NextDoor.
"This is our neighborhood so we just have to come together," Thornton said.
NextDoor is a free service. CLICK HERE for more information.
