Merced County Sheriff’s Office launches app to stay connected to community

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The Merced County Sheriff’s Office launched a free app for residents to download.

“We wanted the app to be able to just stay in connection with our community members,” said Deputy Michael Domingue with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Due to staffing shortages, in March, the Sheriff’s Office rolled out an online reporting system for residents to report any non-emergency crimes or submit anonymous tips.

But they wanted to provide something more tangible.

“We know that technology is advancing and not everybody has a computer,” Domingue said.

In the app, residents can access online reporting, inmate search, and employment information -there’s even a tab for a concealed carry permit.

“When you download the app, make sure that your push notifications are on,” Domingue said.

That way, residents can get the latest information in the event of an emergency.

“If there’s flooding, if there’s power lines down, if there’s a SWAT team doing a search warrant somewhere and we want to have you avoid an area,” Domingue said.

The app has been live for about a week, and so far, more than 100 people have utilized it.

“We’re hoping to get some good traction,” Domingue said.

However, users do not have to live in Merced County to download the app.

“If you have elderly parents and, you know, I live in say Fresno area and something’s going on, I’m going to call my mom and let her know, that that’s absolutely fine,” Domingue said.

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