In my line of work as a writer and editor for this magazine, I make it a point to follow many police departments on social media—mainly on Twitter and Facebook. It’s fairly easy to tell who has gotten the “hang” of social media and who has not. I have written about the positive ways police departments have used social media, and in my opinion, it’s a topic that needs even more attention. This month we feature a story on page 14 that discusses how multiple LE agencies around the U.S. have used social media campaigns and websites such as Nextdoor.com to cut down on crime and engage with localized community members. Using social media as part of a crime prevention strategy has worked for these departments.
Personally, social media has brought me closer to my local police departments and my neighbors, too. After I began following a nearby PD on Facebook, I saw that they would be putting on an 11-week Citizen’s Academy. This academy, which runs for three hours each week, has brought together more than 20 civilians to learn about dispatch, crime scene investigation, jail operations, arrest procedures, property and fraud crimes and much, much more. While some of the civilians in the course are volunteers with the police department, the majority of us just simply wanted to learn more about policing on a day-to-day basis, challenges and concerns for police and ways in which we can break the invisible wall between civilians and police that seems to exist in some areas.
Through this class I’ve gained a deeper relationship with local law enforcement and have even signed up on Nextdoor.com to connect with both neighbors and police on issues. Never heard of Nextdoor.com? I recommend checking it out in your area—it’s a free private social network for neighborhood communities. In my experience, it has been an outlet for neighbors to discuss issues freely, without having a formal, in person meeting. PDs can even take part in the discussion. If you’re using Nextdoor.com or social media campaigns successfully, I’d love to hear about it. Shoot me an email at [email protected].
Now to turn your attention to another subject that gripped us as a nation a few weeks ago. As most (if not all) readers are aware, on Oct. 1st a gunman opened fire on concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, leaving 58 people dead including off-duty police officer Charleston Hartfield of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). The LVMPD and all first responders did their jobs heroically that night and continue to do so in the aftermath. I implore you to not get distracted by “news” about sports, politics, etc. and to focus on what we at SouthComm Law Enforcement Media feel is of greater importance: the sacrifices made by our men and women on the front lines here at home.
Stay safe, readers.
Adrienne
