HILLSVILLE, Va. — Officials in Carroll County have implemented a new system that will alert citizens to emergencies related to weather or crimes, as well as relay other useful information.

The program launched by the Carroll Sheriff’s Office to notify residents about matters of public safety contains two components, which utilize telephone and Internet technology.

One is a major alert or reverse 911 alert, which citizens aren’t required to sign up to receive. It allows information to be sent automatically to all land-line home and business telephones in an entire region or select geographical area regarding:

• Tornado or severe weather warnings;

• Amber alerts;

• Be-on-the-lookout situations for vehicles/individuals involved in violent criminal activity such as a bank robbery or kidnapping;

• Citizen safety alerts;

• Evacuations and shelter locations.

Those with cell or voice-over IP phones can receive notifications only by registering at the website https://carrollcountyva.my.nixlepro.com.

The sheriff’s office will initiate any calls during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., unless imminent danger or immediate action necessitates alerting citizens at times when most are sleeping.

Other Contacts

The second component of the notification system involves information that while not of an emergency nature, could be beneficial to the public.

This includes:

• Weather warnings;

• Road closures;

• Special events sponsored by sheriff’s office;

• Any other information that is thought to be of interest.

Anyone wishing to receive these types of alerts must go to the https://carrollcountyva.my.nixlepro.com website and sign up for the service.

Afterward, they will receive text and email messages relating to both major and informational situations.

Calls or messages will originate from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office or Twin County 911 in the event of major law enforcement emergencies or natural disasters affecting public safety or where citizen involvement is advantageous.

Anyone wanting more information or needing help signing up for the program can contact Janice Davis or Melinda Upchurch at 276-728-4146.