Six months after Bonner County commissioners approved a request by Bonner County Sheriff’s Office to purchase a mobile app, the department has announced the availability of the tool that will help community members stay connected and notified of emergency events in the area.  

The Idaho Sheriff Connect app, characterized by a dark grey app icon with an Idaho state symbol, can be found on the Apple App Store or Google Play and downloaded for free. Once downloaded, users must type and select Bonner County to view and receive notifications for information applicable to the county.  

The app features nine sections of information, including but not limited to services and programs offered by the department, employment opportunities, a map and list of sex offenders in the county, a record request form and a county driver’s license tab.  

An additional app feature gives users the ability to view a list of current inmates with booking images attached. App owners will have the ability to view who is in jail and request to follow cases, receiving updates via call, email and/or text.  

A tip button was also added to the app, allowing community members to submit information pertaining to ongoing investigations. Tip submissions can be 100% anonymous and will be sent directly to the sheriff’s office.  

A disclaimer is attached to the tip submission button requesting that individuals call 911 to report a crime and not through the tip submission form.  

The app was originally approved during a Feb. 25 business meeting, where county commissioners had originally tabled the discussion two weeks in a row in an effort to learn more on the privacy aspect of the app. It was ultimately approved unanimously after county commissioners learned that the app did not share, mine or sell data.  

Costs for the app, totaling $8,467.25, is divided amongst the sheriff’s office, Bonner County Jail, Marine Division and Bonner Dispatch.