The Youngsville Police Department is looking to increase transparency and communication between it and the community it serves with a smartphone application and a newly designed website.

The new phone app, which is available for download on iTunes and for Android devices, will allow Youngsville police to keep users in the know about crime and traffic accidents, as well as a host of other features.

“It’s a great way for me to get the information out to the people quickly,” Police Chief Rickey Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux said putting out an app and website redesign for the department were ideas he campaigned on, but development didn’t start until about four months ago. Boudreaux was elected chief of police November 2014.

Along with the app, the department has rolled out a new website, which features access to accident reports, an events calendar, a most-wanted-list and tips on things like crime prevention and hurricane preparedness. There’s also a system to request extra patrols when you’re out of town or on vacation, Boudreaux said.

What the chief said he’s most excited for is the event calendar, which he said they’ll use to host events to inform citizens on public safety matters like scam prevention.

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Information from: The Daily Advertiser