(Editor's note: The following information was provided by the Tewksbury Police Department.)

TheTewksbury Police Department through a contract with Emergency Communications Network, LLC, will begin providing public safety alerts through the company’s new public safety app – CodeRED Mobile Alert.

The app, which is a free download for iPhone and Android subscribers, will allow Tewksbury residents, as well as those traveling through the area, to receive community and emergency alerts via notifications to their smartphones. Residents who have enrolled for the CodeRED System will continue to receive voice calls, text messages and emails. However, the app is designed to keep users safe and informed while on the go. “The app is unique because, for example, if we have a Tewksbury resident who is traveling to another state that also uses the CodeRED system, they will receive any community or emergency alerts from that specific area as well. It’s just one extra way to stay safe when you’re away from home.”

Emergency, community and missing children alerts are always free to app users. The app also provides subscribers a free, 30-day trial of CodeRED Weather Warning, which alerts users if they are in the direct path of a severe thunderstorm, tornado or flash flood. Users have the ability to select the types of weather notifications they want receive, to customize the app based on their unique preferences. “With the weather component, you don’t have to be worried about missing hearing a tornado siren or watching a weather report. The app will alert you immediately after the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning, no matter the time of day.”

Residents with iPhones and Android smartphones are encouraged to download the app to begin receiving notifications from the Tewksbury Police Department  The app is available for a free download on the iTunes store and Google Play. For more information or to download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app, visit http://ecnetwork.com/mobile/getitnow.html.