Neighbors Public Safety App Comes To Needham

NEEDHAM, MA — The police department announced it has partnered with the Neighbors app by Ring to provide Needham residents real-time crime and safety alerts. The public safety app is used by millions of people in other communities across Massachusetts and the country, and it's simple to use.

Residents can text "StaySafe" to 555888 from their smartphone to download the Neighbors app for free on iOS and Android. Then pick Needham as the neighborhood, and just like that, you can share crime and safety-related videos, photos and texts and receive real-time alerts from Needham police and your neighbors.

"Neighbors is the newest tool that we want to provide citizens to connect with the Needham Police Department and each other," Police Chief John Schlittler said in a statement. "Neighbors allows the Needham Police Department to share real-time, local safety information with our citizens. More importantly, it allows residents to share information directly with us, and each other, building a stronger, safer community."

Here's some ways Needham police believe are the best ways to use the app and stay safe in the event of an emergency:

• Download the Neighbors app on iOS and Android here or by texting ‘StaySafe’ to 555888 from your smartphone.
• Opt-in to join your neighborhood.
• Customize the geographic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot participate in other neighborhoods).
• Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety alerts as they happen
• View local crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map.
• Share text updates, photos and videos taken on any device, including Ring’s home security devices.
• Work with your community to make neighborhoods safer.