Privacy Policy

The Town of Lapel respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us through our interactive web portal. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you use our services. This may include:

• Account Information: When you create a Resident Account, we collect your email address and securely store your password authentication via our secure provider (Firebase Auth).
• Submitted Forms: When you report a town issue, submit a newsletter idea, or add a business to the directory, we collect the details you provide in the form, which may include your name, phone number, and address.
• Interaction Data: We track anonymous interactions such as poll votes (using device local storage) to ensure fairness and prevent duplicate submissions.
• Device Push Subscription Data: If you turn on Lapel Alerts, we store a device notification token and the alert categories you select. We do not require your name, phone number, email address, or a resident account to subscribe.

Website Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the website and improve town services. Google Analytics uses cookies and collects information such as pages visited, device and browser information, and how visitors reach the site. We disable Google signals and advertising personalization in our website tag. You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Learn more in Google’s Privacy Policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used solely for the purpose of serving the community. Specifically, we use your data to:

• Process and respond to maintenance requests or 311 reports.
• Verify residency or local status for specific town services.
• Communicate with you regarding official town updates, event RSVPs, or issues you have reported.
• Maintain and display the local business directory.
• Deliver the Lapel Alerts you choose to receive on your subscribed device.

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

The Town of Lapel does not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties.

We may disclose your personal information only under the following circumstances:

• When required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena or public records request under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA). Note that certain personal contact information may be redacted from public records as permitted by law.
• When necessary to protect the safety of the public or town property.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is ever completely secure or error-free.

5. Your Rights

If you have created a Resident Account, you can log in to view your submission history. If you wish to have your account or associated data deleted from our active systems, you may contact town administration.

You can stop Lapel Alerts for a device at any time from the Lapel Alerts page. Unsubscribing disables the stored notification token for that device.

Lapel Alerts SMS Privacy

For SMS alerts, we collect your mobile number, selected categories, consent disclosure and version, signup and confirmation dates, and opt-out records. Telnyx and messaging carriers process your number and messages to provide this service. A private browser token lets you manage the confirmed subscription from that browser.

Before SMS service opens, waiting-list signups save your number, categories and consent without activating messages. A private browser token lets you check or withdraw your waiting-list signup. You must return and confirm phone ownership when enrollment opens.

We will not share or sell your mobile information with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes. SMS opt-in data and consent are not shared with third parties for their marketing. Service providers may process this information solely to deliver and support our messaging program.

Reply STOP to stop SMS alerts, or use the confirmed phone controls on Lapel Alerts. We retain consent and suppression records to document your choices and honor opt-outs, subject to applicable town records requirements. For questions or a data request, contact Town Hall through Contact Us.

6. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact the Town Hall.