Police launch phone app to pay tickets

RIDGELAND — A smartphone app that will allow citizens to view a crime map, pay tickets, and submit tips was officially announced last week,.

“The city of Ridgeland Police Department is excited to announce the release of a custom smartphone application,” Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers said. “

This app will serve as an innovative way for the police department to connect with Ridgeland residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.” 

The city of Ridgeland Police Department app is available to download for free in the App Store and Google Play by searching “Ridgeland Police, MS.” The city officially announced the app was live on Jan. 18.

The app was developed by ThePoliceApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC., which specializes in mobile app development for police departments and public safety organizations across the country.

The app offers quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use. In just a few clicks, users can access features including the "Chief’s Welcome", press releases, job applications, a most wanted list, a crime map, pay tickets, contact the department, submit a tip, and more.

“Over 80 percent of people in the United States own and use smartphones as their primary means of communication,” OCV Partner and CRO Kevin Cummings said. “Mobile apps offer agencies a better way to alert, inform and prepare the public. Apps allow public safety agencies the ability to reach and serve their citizens where they are: their smartphones.”

Myers received unanimous approval from the city board to develop the app at the Sept. 19, regularly scheduled meeting. he said it would cost the department about $17,000 to implement this year and an additional $5,000 to keep it live.

Myers said he first heard of the app at a Chief of Police Conference in June of 2022 where he saw a presentation from OCV. He said he started researching the prospect of an app for the department shortly after that.