When I was growing up I had a neighbor who owned a police scanner, and at the first sound of a siren we could listen in to find out what was going on. At a young age I was curious about law enforcement, and if you asked me or my friends what we wanted to be when we got older, police officer or firefighter were always near the top of our list.
I don’t know about you, but as an adult I am still curious when I hear a siren. Are the police responding to a burglary, or in pursuit of a fellon? Was there an accident, or just someone caught speeding?
Given the amount of time local news stations spend reporting on police and fire incidents, my guess is that the public wants to be informed of what is happening in their communities. Most of these incidents never make it into the newspaper, let alone onto television. Combine that with fewer newspapers being sold, and the number of viewing options (both cable and on-line) competing with TV news, our knowledge of what is happening in our communities is greatly diminished. Today we live in a 24-7 news cycle, and the public wants to receive information through those channels that they are paying attention to.
Social networks like Facebook and Twitter are providing state and local law enforcement with low cost ways of not only keeping the public informed, but educating them as well. The Birmingham, Alabama police force not only has embraced social media but have expanded their presence according to Fox News. Not only do they report arrests on their Facebook page, but they provide crime statistics, prevention tips, information on wanted felons, and information on missing persons. For more frequent updates on crimes and accidents, you can follow them on Twitter @BhamPolice. The Department also uses text messaging as well, and their hope is to not only inform the public but for the public to provide information on crimes.
The York, Pennsylvania police department is using Facebook to build strong bridges into the community. Joining Facebook in April of this year, the sight is true ongoing conversation with the public. Not only does the department alert the public to criminal activity, but it uses the sight to inform the public on it’s community activities. In addition, a number of the officers have posted comments that show a personal touch and strengthen their connections with the community. Based on the public comments, the over 700 followers see the value in the sight.
The Pennsylvania State Police, which was the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States, and a model for other state police agencies throughout the nation, established a Facebook presence this year. The page has already attracted over 15,000 people, but in the first 6 months of the year only posted 5 updates, with the last one in March. The Philadelphia Police force has already acquired over 23,000 people who like their page, and have not even posted a single update yet. Clearly there is a desire on the part of the public for information, and a tremendous opportunity is being lost. The audience is there, they just need to engage with the public. Despite budgetary issues affecting the state and city, hopefully both departments can establish a strategy for utilizing these communication channels effectively and have a conversation with a public who is clearly ready to participate.
Whenever an Amber Alert is issued it it is broadcast via commercial radio stations, satellite radio, television and cable stations by the Emergency Alert System, NOAA Weather Radio, e-mail, electronic traffic-condition signs, and the LED/LCD signs of billboard companies,and SMS text messages. This wide distribution is intended to inform as many people as possible in the shortest period of time. A simple facebook update or tweet on a missing child only increases the population alerted and therefore increases that child’s chances of being safely returned. Social media and law enforcement are perfect for each other because the lives of first responders and the safety of the public is priceless.
Popularity: 7% [?]
