Sheriff's Alert System Allows Residents to Monitor Public Safety

Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti is urging residents to sign up for his office's free alert system, which notifies residents about flood warnings, hazardous material dangers, power failures, missing person alerts and other public safety emergencies.

The Rapid Alert Notification System, funded in part by a federal Homeland Security grant, directly alerts residents via telephone voicemail, email, text message, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone app.


“The RANS software has adapted to modern methods of communication by offering more accessible ways for residents to stay informed,” Bellotti said in a statement. “Residents have the option of receiving alerts through methods that best suit their technological preferences.”

Local law enforcement and public safety agencies contact the sheriff's office when they need to send out an announcement, and Bellotti's office carries out the task.

In the event of a local emergency, the notification system sends voice messages to all publicly listed household phone numbers in Norfolk County.

Residents who want to add their cell phone numbers or email addresses to the system’s database must register by visiting www.norfolksheriff.com and clicking on “Rapid Alert Notification System (RANS).”

All information obtained by the NCSO for registration purposes is kept confidential, according to the statement.

To receive Facebook updates for the program, become a friend of the “Ncso Rans” page. Also follow @NorfolkCoRANS on Twitter.