Hays County Sheriff’s Office To Get Mobile App

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners approved the purchase of a mobile app for the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office sought approval to utilize Sheriff Drug Forfeiture Fund to purchase theSheriffapp.com; the app will allow the office to share public safety information with citizens of Hays County.

Commissioner Walt Smith said real-time information, like the office posts on Facebook, will be available through the app; residents will be able to check their neighborhoods for registered sex offenders, get live traffic updates and deposit into an inmate account at the jail.

“This is something that I think is putting our sheriff’s department at the forefront,” Smith said. “We are going to be one of the first sheriff’s departments to have this technology.”

According to Hays County Sheriff’s Office, the app is a nationwide effort, but they know of only two other Texas counties that are utilizing the technology.

The information will include searches of most wanted or recent warrants, notifications, reminders, inmate searches and much more, according to the agenda.

Residents will also be able to submit tips to the office through the app.

The initial cost of the app will be $17,990 for the first year, and $7,995.00 for every year after.

According to the agenda, “theSheriffApp.com works with progressive organizations to develop custom iPhone and Android apps to help harness the ever-increasing number of residents who have smart phone devices.”

The brand has been developing apps for the last nine years and has designed and developed over 500 custom mobile apps.  

The item was approved 4 to 0 with Commissioner Lon Shell absent.