by Chase Rogers

Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler announced July 14 the department’s implementation of an iOS and Android application aimed to ease communication and reporting with residents.

The free application offers “quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use,” allowing users to view information provided by the sheriff’s office, submit tips and feedback to law enforcement officials and to receive emergency alert notifications.

The application was developed by TheSheriffApp.com, a division of OCV, LLC, and is in use in six other Texas counties, including Williamson, Rockwall and Collins. OCV, LLC specializes in creating applications for fire departments, emergency management centers, healthcare providers and police departments.

The application will include methods to: provide comments and feedback, submit tips, search sex offenders in the area, search jail info and local inmates, view Hays County Most Wanted and view curated county announcements and alerts.

“With today’s technological advances, I think it’s critical that we continue to keep up with the times in order to stay connected with our communities and constituents,” Cutler said. “During these unprecedented times in our country it is all the more important that we in public service communicate with our citizens.”

According to Cutler, the application cost nearly $18,000 to implement and was paid for with funds acquired through drug asset forfeiture, a practice used by law enforcement agencies to deprive criminals and criminal organizations of funds yielded through illegal acts.

Cutler said he is unsure what the upkeep cost to the application will be but plans to use drug asset forfeiture to pay any cost.

“I don’t know for sure what the maintenance fee will be for annual basis yet, but we plan to use drug asset forfeiture moneys, not tax dollars.”

Cutler said he believes the application will be a useful tool for the community, but understands that some may not want to download it.

“What I tell people is this is strictly volunteer app. If a person doesn’t like or want the app, you don’t have to get it,” Cutler said. “I think citizens will be very excited actually, and citizens in surrounding counties that do business in our county would probably be excited about it as it’s a way to get information real time.”

The application can be found by searching “Hays County Sheriff TX” in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, or https://apps.myocv.com/share/a43678666

App proves helpful in missing persons case

Two days after Sheriff Gary Cutler detailed TheSheriffApp.com for the commissioner’s court, it helped to locate a missing woman.

Evelyn Avendano-Acosta, 23 and seven months pregnant, was reported missing by her family on Thursday, July 16, after walking away from her home in Wimberley without her phone or purse.

When she confirmed to be safe in North Austin hours later, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said, it was because key social media was accessed.

The person who found Avendano-Acosta walking on the side of the road was identified simply as a good Samaritan, who gave her “a ride, food and shelter for the evening,” according to a press release.

“A co-worker of the good Samaritan saw the post about Evelyn missing on the Hays County Facebook page and asked the Samaritan if the person they provided for could be the missing person and it was determined that it was,” the release said.