Volunteer Projects & Activities

Albertan Rural Crime Watch

Since 2004, I have worked closely with several Alberta Rural Crime Watch Organizations, in response to a demonstrated need for a commmunications system that could reliably relate imperative crime-related information to approved Rural Crime Watch members.

Although there were numerous “fan-out” systems in place, they were characterized by inconvenience, unreliability, and excessive expense. In response to the need for a more convenient, dependable, and cost-effective alternative, I proposed to develop a new Alert System specifically for the use of Crime Watch. I offered to develop this system on a cost-only basis.

Development has been an ongoing process. The first version was a desktop application, equipped to send messages via telephone, fax, and email, using a single phone line. The second major version was also a desktop application, but able to send messages on up to four telephone lines.

The third version was a major overhaul of the first two. TriComRC 2005 is no longer a desktop application, but rather is operated remotely through a secure web connection. All functions, including adding members, sending messages, creating reports, and more, are performed online through a convenient web portal. More information on this latest version can be found on the TriCom Alert System page of this site.

Improvements and maintenance of the Alert System has been performed on a cost-of-hardware-only basis. The time required for upgrades and support has been provided without charge. I am pleased to be a small part of what I consider to be a decent and worthwhile cause.

In addition to helping Rural Crime Watch organizations meet their needs for keeping their members up to date, I have volunteered my time “unoffically” to clients and friends, building computers, offering help with search engine optimization, and creating Internet marketing campaigns to help small in-home businesses get a start in building a presence online.