The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is adopting new technology to strengthen community connections and enhance public safety communication with the launch of the Neighbors app.
Officials with the Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that with the Neighbors app, they can publish important safety alerts and other community news directly to all local residents. They said the app also allows both officials and residents to post updates and events, making it easy for everyone to stay informed. Anyone with a smartphone can download the Neighbors app for free, even if they do not own a Ring device. Residents can receive notifications and post photos or videos from any device.
Officials said they want to be very clear: this platform does not give law enforcement access to private cameras, personal data, or private content. Participation is entirely voluntary, and residents have full control over what they choose to share, if anything at all. Officials clarified that the Sheriff’s Office cannot view live feeds, retrieve stored videos, or monitor activity unless a resident decides to send information directly to them.
They explained that their goal in using the Neighbors app is simple: to improve communication, deliver timely safety alerts, share crime prevention tips, and request community assistance when needed. They said that this helps everyone work together to keep neighborhoods and the community more informed and safer.
Officials with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said they are committed to protecting constitutional rights, respecting privacy, and maintaining transparency in all their actions. They stressed that the Neighbors app is simply another tool to strengthen community partnerships, not serve as a surveillance tool.
Authorities said they will not monitor this site 24/7. For emergencies, contact 911 or the non-emergency line at (270)821-5661.
