A text message alert system is being offered by the City of Niles to help keep the community informed of public safety issues, city events and other information.

City Administrator Ric Huff is encouraging all residents who are able to receive text messages to sign up for the service as a way to stay in the loop.

“We are very hopeful this service will not only help people stay informed, but will also help to limit the number of routine telephone calls we

receive daily asking about events, safety and utility issues,” he said.

According to Huff, the Niles Police Department took more than 600 calls in little more than a four-hour period regarding the start time of the 4th of July fireworks display last year.

“We love our residents and we want to be helpful,” he said. “But too many calls for this type of information can tie up the phone system making it difficult to handle emergencies and other community issues that must be responded to quickly.”

The city is working with a company called CloseBy, which will be providing the text service. Texts will be used to keep the community updated on city-sanctioned events, police and fire public safety issues, public works street, bridge or cemetery information and notices concerning water, wastewater or electric news from the utilities department.

There is no charge for the text message service unless a resident’s cell phone carrier charges them an additional fee for receiving text messages.

To sign up:

• Type 36000 in the “to” box of your phone

• In the “message” box type: nilescity

If desired, residents can stop receiving text messages by sending the message “stop” to 36000.