Ashland County Launches Free Sheriff’s Office App to Speed Alerts, Connect Residents with Services
ASHLAND, Ohio — Sept. 3, 2025. Ashland County residents have a new one-stop tool for safety alerts, county resources, and two-way communication with law enforcement. Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider and County Commissioner President James Justice announced the official launch of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office mobile app, a free download designed to put critical information “right at your fingertips.”
“This app is a huge asset to the county,” Sheriff Schneider said, crediting the county commissioners for securing the funding. “It lets us communicate faster and more accurately with residents—and it gathers nearly every public-safety and county resource in one place.”
Commissioners used a portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds—about $40,000 over a three-year contract—to build and maintain the app, which took roughly five to six months to develop. “We know this will help—from truly anonymous drug tips to targeted emergency alerts,” Justice said. “It’s free for the public and it makes our community safer.”
What the app does
Instant push alerts from the Sheriff’s Office
During urgent incidents—major crashes, active investigations, school or neighborhood emergencies—the Sheriff’s Office can send one-way, official notifications directly to users’ phones to avoid confusion from social media comment threads. Only a small, designated team can issue these alerts.
Anonymous “Submit a Tip”
Residents can report drug activity or other concerns without a trace. Tips are routed through a secure, third-party repository so there’s no phone number, email, or digital footprint tying back to the sender. “People have been hesitant to turn in a drug dealer who lives nearby,” Justice said. “Now they can help without fearing for their safety.”
Sex Offender Map & Notifications
A live, zoomable map shows registered offenders by location, with names, photos and offense information—updated daily via the state’s system. Users can opt in to notifications when someone moves into their area.
Jail & Inmate Information
See current bookings with photos, search inmates, and access services like commissary deposits—all from the app.
Targeted Emergency Management alerts (CodeRED)
Through a dedicated EMA tab, residents can sign up for CodeRED to receive geographically targeted warnings (e.g., boil advisories, tornado damage zones, neighborhood-specific notices). “If a water main breaks in Hayesville, we can notify just that area,” Sheriff Schneider explained.
School Resource Officer directory
Parents can tap the Schoolhouse icon to view SROs for each participating district (with photos and email), making it easier to reach the right deputy directly.
County-wide resource hub
From the Health Department and courts to city police and fire, ODOT updates, and the animal shelter, the app links residents to every county officeholder and key service. “Instead of hunting for websites or phone numbers, it’s all here,” Schneider said.
Why it matters
Faster, clearer information in emergencies. Push alerts deliver verified, on-the-record updates straight from the Sheriff’s Office.
Safer neighborhoods through anonymous tips. A new, genuinely anonymous channel lowers the barrier to reporting drug activity and other crimes.
Everyday convenience. From checking the sex-offender registry to adding funds to an inmate account, common tasks are now a tap away.
County collaboration. The app integrates EMA’s CodeRED and links to city and county resources to reduce confusion and duplication.
How to get it & get the most from it
Download the free app from your smartphone’s app store (search for the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office).
Enable notifications when prompted so you’ll receive urgent alerts.
Open the EMA/CodeRED tab to register for targeted emergency warnings.
Explore: Submit a Tip, Sex Offender Map, Jail & Inmate Info, Schoolhouse (SROs), and County Resources.
“Download the app and accept notifications,” Sheriff Schneider said. “It’s the fastest way for us to share what you need to know—when you need to know it.”
The Sheriff’s Office plans to continue adding resources and departments to the app. Agencies that don’t see their information listed yet are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office to be included.
