Get traffic alerts to plan the commute to work, school and appointments, stay on top of emergency notifications and help solve neighborhood crimes by submitting tips anonymously. The city of Lake Charles has an app for that — the new Lake Charles PD app.

This new text alert system replaces Nixle and is now available for free.     

“There are ways to use it and ways not to use it,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. 

It’s not for emergency calls. Do not report a crime in progress on this app,” said Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell. “This app is for non-emergency purposes only. To report a crime or other emergency, call 911.” 

Like Nixle, the Lake Charles PD app allows the department to push out information to the public. Unlike Nixle, this app allows the public to send information to the department as well, Caldwell said. 

The Lake Charles Police Department has really worked hard to establish better communications with the public, better connectivity with our neighborhoods,” said Hunter, adding it was Caldwell’s team that proposed the idea to him. 

The new two-way app is not monitored in the same manner as the 911 system. 

“My lieutenants and my captains will be checking it to determine whether any new information has come in about a crime we may be investigating,” said Chief Deputy Kevin Kirkum. “And it’s a two-way street. We can ask questions.” 

Even when the police department checks back with the tip giver to ask questions, the tip giver does not have to give his or her name, but may if they choose to do so. 

Download Lake Charles PD app from the Google Play Store, the iPhone App Store or at www.cityoflakecharles.com/police.

These services are also available without an app download. Text LCPD to 847411. 

Visit www.cityoflakecharles.com/police or call (337) 491-1311 for more information.