BELL GARDENS, Calif., Dec. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Secure Cops Alert Network, or "SCAN," and SBC Communications today launched the nation's first-designed neighborhood alert system that allows local police, fire and other health and safety departments to broadcast emergency information directly to the computers, mobile phones, pagers and PDAs of their neighborhood and local residents when an emergency or security threat is detected in the user's area. The alert system is being deployed first in California and is free of charge to all public safety agencies.
"The events of September 11, 2001, created heightened community awareness about the importance of localized emergency information programs," said Russ Krauss, Chief Operating Officer, SCAN USA. "SCAN represents a new-and-improved neighborhood watch system for the information age. It's a great way for folks in neighborhoods to help fight crime or keep up with various activities in their neighborhood."
Using SCAN USA's localized alert system, the Bell Gardens Police Department demonstrated how community members can receive important information on their digital communications devices with warnings about terrorism threats, local crime, sexual predators, Amber alerts, public health risks and safety tips during the holidays.
"Public safety departments have long recognized that reliable information and rapid communication are the key elements to greater public protection and effective law enforcement," said Captain Eli Magdaleno, Bell Gardens Police Department. "SCAN allows my department -- for the first time -- to communicate real-time, important safety and emergency information with residents in the local neighborhoods my department protects."
SCAN has formed a distribution partnership with SBC Communications, one of the nation's largest and most technologically advanced telecommunications companies. This relationship allows SCAN to be provided free of charge to all law enforcement and public safety agencies, to provide one year of SCAN free of charge to the community, and to ensure that SCAN is made available to all communities in the state.
The SCAN alert system has been endorsed by the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS), a non-profit law enforcement organization, and more than 1,000 individual members of California's law enforcement community.
To register to receive local alerts, visit www.scanusa.com and click on the Download SCAN Free Button.
About Sharp Holding (OTCBB:SHAR)
Sharp Holding is the developer of the SCAN software program. Sharp develops security software products and communication technology utilized by Fortune 500 companies. Sharp specializes in creating programs that result in mass-distribution by large corporations to their customers and prospects. Sharp has developed programs for US West Communications, Qwest Communications, FedEx Corporation and others.
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