MICHIGAN — Whether it be a crash update, an article on internet scams, a shooting report or an upcoming event, Michigan State Police Trooper Holly Higgs has the ability to share that information with all she serves with a few taps of her pointer finger.

Higgs is a community service trooper at Niles’ state police post, serving Berrien and Cass counties, and she is making use of Michigan State Police’s new app, “MSP Mobile,” launched in late summer this year.

“The app can update in real time, so as soon as I post something, if you sign up to get notifications from the Niles post, it would go directly to your phone right away,” Higgs said.

The app is free and features information on the following subjects: breaking news, upcoming events, the Public Sex Offender Registry, most wanted, cold cases, traffic crash reports and criminal history records. Users can also submit tips for school safety, cold cases, active searches and suspicious activity.

The app was released in late summer this year, a result of work that began in 2016 with a series of conversations within Michigan State Police headquarters, said Shanon Banner, its public affairs director, who was with the project from its start.

“Each of our posts really felt that those accounts being a statewide agency weren’t always connecting with the people that lived in their communities,” she said.

Higgs said she felt that disconnect at the Niles post. She would send out press releases of accidents, crimes and events to news agencies, but that method was not connecting with a key group — young people.

While not everyone may pick up a newspaper or the T.V. remote, many would pick up their phone. Back at headquarters, a mobile app that allowed people to see information relevant to them when they wanted became the answer.

A group of state police employees began to consider their options in 2017, Banner said. The unique structure of Michigan State Police, a swathe of local posts connected to one larger entity, made finding the right app design difficult.

So, the police decided to make their own. Development began in 2018.

“The uniqueness of this app is that each post is putting information based on what they’re doing at their post,” Banner said.

Since the app’s launch, Higgs has posted two crash reports, one shooting report, a larceny report and eight Michigan State Police activities for the public.

All of the releases can be accessed in the app. All one needs to do is download it and type in the names of the posts that they wish to follow. No login is required. Users have the option to share their location with the app and to allow notifications.

Higgs said her end of the app is just as easy.

“Post. Boom. Done,” she said.

Higgs said posting road closure and accident updates will be one of the most helpful aspects of the app, especially given likely wintry driving conditions ahead.

Banner said she found the submit-a-tip options to be one of the most beneficial features. The department takes tips over the phone and online already, but the app will make submission easier.

“This is really important to us because suspicious activity reporting is really important,” she said. “We’re in the age now where a little thing that might seem out of place could be a major key to solving a crime or stopping a terrorist incident.”

“MSP Mobile” can be downloaded through the App Store.