Why did some Wichita residents receive an emergency crime alert this week?
Some Wichita residents got a text alert Thursday warning them to stay indoors and to avoid the 21st and Tyler area.
The text warning was sent at 12:52 p.m. Oct. 2 after two armed suspects fled on foot from a stolen vehicle in the area. The two suspects were eventually taken into custody. Soon after, the alert was rescinded and the community was told there was no active threat.
Why did some Wichita residents get the text alert and others did not? Here’s what to know so you don’t miss an emergency alert next time.
How can I sign up for emergency text alerts in Wichita and Sedgwick County?
The text was sent out as a part of Sedgwick County’s Civic Ready text alert system, which was launched in 2023.
The texts don’t automatically go out to everyone in the vicinity. Instead, anyone can opt-in to the alerts through Sedgwick County’s website. To sign up, you must provide your phone number, email and location.
When signing up, residents can be selective on what they receive alerts about. For example, the default is emergency alerts, while other options include things like city bulletins and health alerts.
Residents can choose to be alerted by phone or by email, and can also select a language to receive alerts in. Non-emergency alerts will be sent via email, while emergency alerts will be sent to email and phone.
Weather alerts and warnings are automated, while other emergency alerts must be written and sent by emergency management and 911.
“It is advised to always have more than one way to receive emergency notifications and Civic Ready is a free service to be one of those ways,” Julie Stinson, the county’s director of emergency management, told The Eagle in an email. “Stay informed through email, text messages and/or phone calls — you choose.”
There are currently 5,582 subscriptions to the alerts, Stinson said. The service is free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 11:50 AM.
