Such was the impetus behind the Waynesville Board of Alderman green-lighting a new app for its police department that will offer a number of different services all in one location. Tyler Trantham, a former Waynesville Police lieutenant, worked with the developers to determine how the app could best meet the needs of community members. Even now after he’s stepped away from law enforcement, Trantham has still worked part-time on the project. 

“I’ve been working with [the developers] still weekly, if not more,” he said. “It’s a pretty complex process.”

Trantham said the decision to get the app was an easy one, given the way technology has shifted. 

“It’s going to be in 2022 where almost everybody has a smart phone, whereas 10 years ago we’d push people to the website,” he said. 

Not only will the app provide push notifications to inform residents of law enforcement activity, it will also offer those residents a chance to leave a tip regarding illegal activity, look up inmates in the Haywood County Detention Center and even simply compliment an officer they feel has done a good job. 

“It will also link to our Facebook page, so anything that we put out on there will also be in the app,” Trantham said. “Not everybody has Facebook, but they may have the app.”

The app cost the town about $14,000 up front and will run about $4,000 per year to maintain. Waynesville Police Chief David Adams was enthusiastic about what it will bring to the community. 

“It’s a great resource for us and the public. We can get information out quick,” he said. “I appreciate the town helping to fund this since it’ll be such a good tool.”

The app will launch in the next couple of weeks and will be free to download from any app store. 

— Kyle Perrotti, News Editor