Caledonia Argus

Business Alert Network endorsed by Chamber of Commerce

Posted: 10/15/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

In an effort to improve communication between area businesses and local law enforcement, the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce endorsed the Business Alert Network on Wednesday, October 9.

ìThe chamber members thought this was definitely a good idea,î said Chamber of Commerce President Peter Congdon. ìIt made a lot of sense because it increases communication and brings the community together a little bit more.î

The Business Alert Network is a service intended to keep Chamber members informed of and protected against local crime. Caledonia police can use the network to instantly notify area merchants of criminal activity that could affect businesses.

ìIf , for example, someone in the area is writing bad checks, we can let all the businesses know right away,î said Caledonia Police Chief Duane St. Mary, who was the impetus behind the implementation of the Business Alert Network.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce welcome the Business Alert Network not only as a means of increased communication, warning businesses of potential threat, but also as a deterrent to criminal activity.

ìLast winter there was a spree of crimes along Highway 44,î Congdon said. ìNow that thereís this network, people might think twice about pulling something like that.î

There is no fee for businesses to register for the service, and St. Mary is hoping to have all local businesses registered in the near future. Businesses belonging to the Chamber of Commerce can have the Chamber register them.

ìIf a business has joined the chamber, weíll do the legwork for getting them registered,î Congdon said.

The network, Congdon thinks, will also be conducive to minimizing the gossip generated and rumors that spread in the wake of criminal activity.

ìWhen something happens in this town, thereís usually 20 different versions,î he said. ìNow thereíll be only one versionñ the official version.î

The Business Alert Network is one facet of the services offered by CitizenObserver that have been adopted by Caledonia police. In addition to providing crime updates to area businesses, CitizenObserverís Crime Alert Network allows individuals to receive crime alerts via e-mail, cell phone, pager, or fax. Residents can log on to www.citizenobserver.com and register for the alerts, which include information on missing persons, fugitives, and unsolved crimes, as well as general news about local law enforcement.

ìUsing the tools CitizenObserver has developed for us, it takes only minutes for our department to alert citizens about crimes in our community,î Chief St. Mary said. ìWe make our communities safer by making crime prevention tips and notices readily available. Anyone can sign up and itís free.î

St. Mary is confident the services now offered through CitizenObserverñ the Business Alert Network and the Crime Alert Networkñ will be conducive toward effective law enforcement. By increasing public awareness of local crime, CitizenObserver allows the general public to work hand-in-hand with local law enforcement authorities in making Caledonia a safer, more secure place to live.

ìI enthusiastically endorse the crime prevention tools that Citizen Observer has developed,î St. Mary stated. ìThese tools will help us all to create safer communities.î

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