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Lowndes County Sheriff Chris West has announced new services available to citizens, all from the convenience of a smartphone application.

Two newly added services come in the form of “submit a tip” functionality added to the department’s application. With the touch of a button, citizens can alert the department of areas around the county where illegal garbage dumping has left roadways littered with debris.

According to Special Services Division Commander Jeremy Marvin, application users may simply select “Submit A Tip” to gain access to the feature. Users can complete an illegal dumping report with details on the dumping site and can elect to keep their identity confidential. Another option allows users to submit information on what they suspect could be illegal activity.

“By clicking on the illegal dumping report, the application asks for information, including a location where garbage has been dumped,” Marvin said. “They can add an image,oo, to show us what the dump site looks like.”

To accommodate requests, the department has hired Emma Harris, formerly with the Lowndes County Enforcement Office. West said Harris brings her expertise in garbage collection and is coordinating a program to utilize county jail inmates to help clean up Lowndes County roadways.

“This initiative cuts out the middle man,” West said. “It allows the community to come directly to us so we can direct inmates to do the cleanup.”

In addition to performing garbage pickup, inmates will help maintain the grounds around county buildings, Marvin explained. Harris has been tasked with coordinating both efforts.

Another addition to the department’s smartphone application expands options for citizens seeking to obtain a pistol permit. An option available on the application landing page navigates to an online permit application, for easy access.

“We created a separate application for pistol permits,” Marvin said. “Citizens can submit their application electronically and don’t have to come to the courthouse.”

Marvin also said families of school-aged children can now see information for school resource officers. From the application, parents can select their child’s school to see the officer assigned and, when needed, submit a tip regarding concerns like bullying or cyber safety.

“We added that portion to assist with bullying or anything that’s going on at the schools,” Marvin said. “Parents, kids or administrators can talk directly with law enforcement about that school and things going on there.”

Additional functions of the application include inmate searches, a staff directory, cyber safety tips and resources and also an interactive map of registered sex offenders.

The application is available for both iPhone and Android smartphones.