Oswego to Soon Implement Reverse 911 System

In the very near future, Oswego residents will be able to opt in to a reverse 911 system for alerts in the area.

The idea was first discussed back in February at a Village Board meeting and received support from board members and the Oswego police.

“This would really reach out to the community and be a tool we could use,” said Oswego Police Chief Dwight Baird of the reverse 911 system.

The agreement would be made through KenCom and use the Everbridge Aware and Smart GIS. In order for the Village to move forward, all municipalities in the area would need to opt in to the service.

And during the intergovernmental meeting on Tuesday evening Oswego Fire Battalion Chief Josh Flanders said the service would be available soon.

“Previously services like this could only target landlines,” said Flanders. It will now be available through cell phones, texting and emailing.

“The only way it’ll really work is for people to sign up for it,” said Flanders. Information on how to sign up will be available in the coming weeks.

Flanders said by going outside of the traditional landlines individuals can be contacted even if they’re not at home or if they don’t have a landline. “It really opens up that door to everybody.”

All groups participating in the Reverse 911 service from highest contribution to least are: Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Village of Oswego, City of Plano, City of Yorkville, Oswego Fire Protection District, Bristol-Kendall Fire Protection District, Little Rock-Fox Fire Protection District, Lisbon-Seward Fire Protection District, the Village of Newark.

The Village of Oswego will pay $7,328.05 a year in a three-year contract for the unlimited plan and the Oswego Fire Protection District would also pay an additional $1,982.34. Oswego is the second-highest contributor, only behind the Kendall County Sheriff’s office at $8,477.20.

Will you choose to opt in to the Reverse 911 system? Why or why not?