MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - From traffic notices, to event happenings and emergency warnings, Meridian Township residents are being made aware by a new alert system.

The Capital Area Ingham County Alert system has become the main tool used in the Township to ensure safety.

As of late May, the new system was activated. Residents register online, with their own preference on what alerts to subscribe to. This is an Everbridge product, offering emails, text and phone call alerts.

Meridian Township's Assistant Police Chief Ken Plaga said the old system included two programs; Code Red, which would only give phone call notifications and the Nixle system which sent messages. With this new system, it sends out text messages, phone calls and emails.

"It's a very effective tool. From back when we used to have to just call the radio or tv stations. Now everybody isn't listening to the radio or watching television at a certain time, but very few people don't have their phones with them anymore. "

This new system is made to be more mobilized, being able to reach out to more people in a sufficient amount of time.