Sheriff Bellotti Urges People to Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Norfolk County Sheriff Michael G. Bellotti continues to urge all area residents to register with his Code Red Rapid Alert Notification System (RANS), which directly alerts residents about public safety emergencies via telephone voicemail, email, text message, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone app.

The free-of-charge program, developed and operated by the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, notifies residents about flood warnings, hazardous material dangers, power failures, missing person alerts and other situations that local officials deem to be public safety emergencies.

In the event of a local emergency, the notification system sends voice messages to all publicly listed household phone numbers in Norfolk County. Residents who wish to add their cell phone numbers or email addresses to the system’s database must register their information with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office by visiting www.norfolksheriff.com and clicking on "Rapid Alert Notification System (RANS).” All information obtained by the NCSO for registration purposes is kept confidential.

To receive Facebook updates for the program, become a friend of the “Ncso Rans” page. For short, speedy alerts follow @NorfolkCoRANS on Twitter.

“The RANS software has adapted to modern methods of communication by offering more accessible ways for residents to stay informed,” Bellotti said. “Residents have the option of receiving alerts through methods that best suit their technological preferences.”

The RANS program was originally financed in part through the federal Homeland Security grant money that was awarded to the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office. Local law enforcement and public safety agencies contact the NCSO when they determine they need to send out an announcement, and Bellotti’s program carries out the task.

“This is an exceptional service and I encourage all residents to take advantage of it,” Bellotti said.