After Wednedsay's incident involving a gunman in Sound Beach, news spread fast after Suffolk County's CodeRED alert system was kicked into action.
According to the County's website, the CodeRED emergency notification system is "an extremely high speed telephone communication service that can deliver customized pre-recorded emergency messages directly to Suffolk County homes and business at the proven capacity of millions of calls per day."
After residents received a call from Suffolk Police alerting them of a man in Sound Beach dressed in black who fired a shotgun, many took to Facebook and Twitter to alert their neighbors as well.
The notification system is normally used during major storm conditions, but the County saw fit that it was put in to place Wednesday night.
Did you receive a CodeRED notification Wednesday and was it helpful? What are your thoughts on the notification service?
Those who did not receive a CodeRED message can sign up for the service here.
I'm wondering though whether the police are aware of a new social phenomenon called "juggalos". The suspect's appearance fits this group to a tee. Would be followers of a semi-pro rap group called Insane Clown Posse paint their faces in crazy looking clown make-up and are known to be violent. In some parts of the country the FBI has listed juggalos as a loosely organized official gang. I know this sounds crazy, but it's real. Google it.