City of Rye, NY Police Department	William R. Connors, Commissioner Phone Numbers: Emergency: 911 (914) 967-1234 Fax (914) 967-8341 Email: police@ryepd.ryeny.gov
Police Department > Reverse 911

In February 2003, the City of Rye Police Department became the first police department in Westchester County to acquire the REVERSE 911 System, an interactive notification system designed to contact residents and/or businesses to communicate emergency information to them.

REVERSE 911 is a geographically based calling system developed in 1993 by Sigma Communications, Inc. to give public safety agencies the ability to quickly communicate with the public. The system allows the operator to scroll over specific areas on a map, or to select names or locations from a list, or to activate pre-designed lists of persons or locations, record a message, and transmit the message by telephone to the selected recipients. For example, if a report of a missing child is received, a description of the child can be recorded, along with instructions regarding how to contact the police, and automatically telephoned to residences and businesses in the surrounding area. That area can be broadened or changed as additional information is received.

The REVERSE 911 system purchased by the Department also includes a feature known as "Guardian Calling ," which is used to check on the well being of senior citizens or the homebound.

  The system does not replace the many methods traditionally used for emergency notifications; such as the emergency broadcast system, Rye Cable Television, fire horns, sirens and loud speakers, for example. Many of those systems are limited. However, the broadcast systems work only if the radio or television is on, and sirens and loud speakers won't be effective if a resident is asleep with the air conditioner on. REVERSE 911 is intrusive; the telephone is on, will ring to alert the resident, and will personally deliver a message. It provides the Police Department with one additional means of providing critical information to the public.

** Please Note: The system's database prevents calls from reaching blocked or unlisted telephone numbers. Residents with such numbers who wish to be added to the database can contact the Department's Staff Service Section, Sergeant. Nicholas Groglio at (914) 967-1234, extension 304, to be added manually, or with any additional questions.