Technology has caught up to crime as the Centre County Crimestoppers have set up an alert system that will send an e-mail message to a list of participating businesses and individuals when a felony or violent crime occurs in the Centre County area.

The e-mail will describe the crime and provide any information that is available about the crime and the suspect with the expectation that business participants will post the information in their place of business and individuals will be on the lookout for the suspect.

An e-mail will also be sent out for Amber alerts for missing children and any other Centre County emergencies. Simply put, how could this be a bad idea?

If enough people sign up, it will be much more unlikely that a criminal would be able to commit a felony and evade authorities.

As of last week, Crimestoppers President Bonnie Spetzer said there have already been several dozen businesses and members signing up for the database, although no e-mails have been sent. Organizers hope several larger businesses, such as Wal-Mart and the Nittany Mall, will sign up for the service.

While it is important for businesses to receive the alerts, it is also important for individuals to receive them. Because individuals are able to sign up for the e-mail alerts, it is more likely those who commit crime will be spotted when they go about their daily routines.

Disseminating information is one of the best ways to fight crime, as long as citizens do their part by signing up for the e-mails and reporting any sightings.

And just as long as Centre County Crimestoppers do not begin to send out e-mails for every bicycle, iPod or wallet stolen in the area, what could really be wrong about these alerts?

Businesses and individuals should do themselves, their customers and the entire community a favor and sign up for the new e-mail alert system.