The Lee County “Code Red” Emergency Alert System came into play on Sunday when a 25 year old inmate escaped from the Iowa State Prison in Fort Madison.
The system sends phone, text, or email alerts warning residents of danger in the area, but Lee County Sheriff Jim Sholl says that several residents have called the Sheriff’s departments complaining that they did not receive any alert.
The “Code Red” system is an opt-in system. Sholl encourages citizens to enter their contact information into the Code Red database. A citizen can choose to receive notification via phone call, text message, email or any combination of those options. Individuals should review their information in Code Red, especially if phone numbers and email addresses have changed.
“If your correct contact information is not in the database, you will not receive notification”. Sheriff Sholl urges all individuals and businesses to log onto the Lee County website and follow the Code Red link.
Those without internet access may call the Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 8AM – 4PM and provide their contact information over the phone.
A Code Red link can also be found on the city of Fort Madison website, and the City of Keokuk website.
