Moraga Town Council Evaluates Community Alert System; More Radio Towers

Moraga Police Chief Robert Priebe is looking for a way to disseminate news and information to locals in the event of major events -- such as the recent tie-up on Moraga Way which frustrated so many.

Priebe has settled on the Nixle system, a no-cost online news dissemination system currently in use in Walnut Creek. Interested civilians may register online to receive "bulletins" via their computer or mobile devices and, hopefully, be steered clear of any traffic logjam or breaking news event likely to impact their routine.

Several Patch users expressed interest in such a system after a "shelter in place" order was informally given -- and never officially lifted -- in connection with a shooting on the Upper San Leandro Watershed last year.

The chief will bring his plan for bringing Nixle to Moraga -- and hopefully surrounding communities as well -- to the council on Wednesday night. In the meantime, and even if the Nixle system is implemented, you can still receive real-time alerts and bulletins here at Patch.

Also Wednesday, the council will review an appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of a request to erect a 50-foot-tall radio tower at 1180 Alta Mesa Drive and are expected to approve the East Bay Regional Communications System Authorities plans for a separate wireless array at the same location.

Placement of the towers and their proliferation has officially become an issue in Lamorinda and other communities recently, with Lafayette actively evaluating their approach to granting applications for additional towers in their city.