MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has ordered the Community Reintegration Center to immediately suspend all tablet messaging features until additional safeguards are put in place to protect victims from harassment and intimidation.

Crowley is also calling on the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office to take the same action for tablets used inside the Milwaukee County Jail, which is overseen by the sheriff's office.

According to Crowley's office, county officials have been reviewing the issue with the sheriff's office, Community Reintegration Center, Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and other partners involved in the tablet program.

The suspension is intended as an immediate step while officials work on a longer-term plan to prevent the technology from being misused.

"I will not tolerate victim harassment or witness intimidation," Crowley said. "That is why I am ordering the CRC and calling on the Sheriff's Office to disable this feature until we are confident strong safeguards are in place to prevent misuse and protect victims."

Crowley said communication technology can play a role in rehabilitation but should not come at the expense of victims' safety.

County officials said they will continue working with tablet vendor IC Solutions to establish stricter rules and safety measures before messaging features are restored at the CRC.

While tablet messaging is suspended, CRC residents will still be able to communicate with family and friends through phone calls, video visitation and in-person visits.