Mississippi City Police to Send E-mail Crime Alerts

The Columbus, Mississippi Police Department is launching the Columbus Business Alert initiative, an effort to inform local businesses of crime information as it is happening.

Police department spokeswoman Terrie Songer said that the alert would let businesses know about missing children, shoplifting incidents and other crimes.

Songer said the e-mail system also will allow businesses to network with one another and the police department to decrease crime activity.

A business alert system is not a new idea, Songer said, noting other cities’ police departments use a similar concept.

Songer said the police department hopes to bring all local businesses into the network.