Old North State residents in Raleigh can soon register to receive text alerts regarding civil unrest or protests that could impact their homes or businesses.
Old North State – Downtown Raleigh Notification System
The city of Raleigh, this in direct response to turbulent and chaotic events in 2020, is working on a ‘Downtown Raleigh Notification System.’ This is to help provide fast information and alerts to residents and business owners Downtown.
Business Owners Want this Issue to be Upfront
Business owners have raised this issue during multiple protests downtown over the past year.
Information from the police department is available via a text communication system. It would include specific details about the organization protesting, the time of the protestors, which streets would be closing, and suggestions for businesses and residents to help ensure they stay safe.
There was a pilot program put into place. They are coordinating with the police department and Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA). There is pressing information relating to protests that could be sent out to the DRA database of businesses and residents.
GovDelivery Channel
“The GovDelivery Channel coordinating by our Emergency Management Office and Specials Events. We are really focusing on using it,” said Jim Greene, assistant city manager.
City council discussed strategies on Tuesday for increasing the Downtown Raleigh Notification System.
A four-pronged strategy was presenting by Greene to improve the GovDelivery Channel.
Promote the system by putting the efforts into letting the residents and businesses know about how to sign up for alerts. Therefore, they can plan to send a link so people can self-subscribe.
Expand the notifications which would include other permitted events as well as road closures.
Increase the frequency of the notifications. In fact, currently, notifications primarily arrive weekly. Moreover, they want to be able to send out urgent notifications mainly when they arrive weekly.
Develop a web page. The web page will allow more thorough information than simple text. In fact, a text could include a link to the website. This is where people can obtain more information.
