We just want people to be aware there’s not some creep driving slowly around. You can help by having your house number posted visible so they can move through the neighborhoods quicker.”

COTT WARNER, GIS/ADDRESSING MANAGER FOR BALDWIN COUNTY 911

Is there a vehicle you don't recognize hanging out on your street or even pulling into your driveway?

It might be there to make sure your address is correct and available for emergency responders.

Baldwin County 911 is validating addresses across the county. The independent organization, whose board is appointed by the Baldwin County Commission, is responsible for tracking and assigning house numbers and street names.

After a three-year cross reference check with agencies across the county, ranging from tax assessing to voter registration, Baldwin County 9-1-1 discovered more than 57,000 addresses that were not in their database.

That means 57,000 places in the community might not be able to get help from ambulances or police and fire departments as quick as possible.

"It's really a big deal," said Scott Warner, GIS/addressing manager for Baldwin County 911. "If they are not in our system, we can't get help there fast, or possibly at all."

The organization is also working with individual cities and towns to take over addressing services for the entire county. This means when a new neighborhood is built or business is added to a street, Baldwin County 911 would assign the building a number. For neighborhoods, the organization would also verify the street names.

The group pays special attention to neighborhoods within the same zip code. A duplication in street name, subdivision name or address can cause confusion for emergency responders.

"Right now, people are walking in with made up addresses that 911 doesn't know about," Warner said. "In an emergency, we can't help."

Warner said the organization, which until recently has largely been doing this service for free, will begin charging cities and towns to help pay the cost of hiring an additional employee to take on some of the zip codes. That fee is a cost share based on each municipalities' population.

Those that don't commit will likely need to hire a GIS license to complete their own addressing. Currently, many town offices are overwhelmed by new construction and address numbering falls through the cracks, Warner said.

"It's quite a bit of work trying to fix this process," Warner said. "It's become broken over the years, and we just need to make sure things are accurate."

Vehicles traversing neighborhoods for the Address Verification Project will display a Geo Comm logo. Employees will also wear a Geo Comm uniform.

Warner said residents and business owners will not need to speak with Geo Comm agents during the process but are encouraged to make sure their addresses are visible.

Address verification vehicles will be in the northern part of the county above Spanish Fort and Robertsdale and in the island communities.

"They won't approach anyone and may turn around in your driveway," Warner said. "We just want people to be aware there's not some creep driving slowly around. You can help by having your house number posted visible so they can move through the neighborhoods quicker."

Warner said the field work is expected to be complete by the end of April.