The Montville Township Police Department is once again using a service to broadcast alerts to interested residents via text message and email, Chief Richard Cook announced.

For the past month, Montville police have used the service, Nixle, to broadcast information about a rash of home break-ins in town.

Nixle allows public safety agencies to send warnings, alerts and informational messages via text message, email, mobile app or Web browser for free.

More than 4,600 public safety agencies in the U.S. use the service, the company said.

Interim township administrator Adam Brewer told the Township Committee last month that Nixle could be used as a way to communicate with residents for free instead of more expensive alternatives the township has explored.

He said police stopped using the service over questions about cost after Nixle announced it would start charging departments.

The township recently posted information about using the service on its website.

Residents can sign up by texting their ZIP code to 888777 or by visiting www.nixle.com.