SALEM — The city’s TextMyGov smart text messaging system has received an upgrade.

The TextMyGov system allows the city to send text message alerts to all participating residents about local events, construction and road closures, and other issues like utility disruptions.

According to a statement published by the city on the police department’s Facebook page Thursday, that system has received “an important enhancement … designed to keep residents better informed about local events and emergencies.”

As of Friday, the city will be able to utilize “location-based text messaging” to send participating residents “targeted notifications to specific neighborhoods, streets or areas in Salem.” These targeted notifications “will provide timely alerts about, road closures and construction updates, emergency shelter-in-place orders,” and “neighborhood-specific events and meetings.”

Residents who are already signed up for TextMyGov alerts do not need to take any additional action and will continue receiving all alerts and can opt out of alerts at any time by texting “STOP.” Anyone who is not already registered and would like to join can do so by texting “SALEMALERTS” to 91896 and responding “YES” to confirm their registration when prompted.

As always, residents can also receive on-demand information about issues like “bill pay, leaf collection, snow removal, utilities and other city information” at any time by texting one to two keywords to the city’s TextMyGov number at 330-331-6277.

“We are excited about this way of communicating with residents and we look forward to sharing important Salem notifications. Other governmental entities across the county use this system with great success. Stay informed, stay ahead,” read the statement.