Police use social networking to notify public about crimes, traffic accidents, and missing kids

[Jenna]

Almost 6,000 law enforcement agencies are now deploying the public notification service Nixle to provide residents with real-time alerts on crimes in progress, traffic messes and missing children. Previously, the service has helped police in Amarillo, Texas, capture a fugitive wanted for aggravated robbery and probation violation; and authorities in Fayetteville, N.C., nabbed a suspect wanted for armed robbery soon after a Nixle alert was sent to residents.

More here: http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/p...tool-1.3899132

[10-42Adam]

I know my department uses it...not sure how many followers we have though or if it's effective.

[Buttercup]

Nixle has been used in my town for quite a long time now.

[Pudge]

I would be interested to see if there has been a study on how many use Facebook & Twitter vs Nixle and what has been more effective. I'd be willing to bet that they have Nixle beat.

[code3bg]

I am an admin for my departments Facebook site. I actually think it gets out there better than Nixle. When there aren't important things to put out to the public, you can build up your relationship with the public. I have gotten a lot of good feedback because of the facebook page. Pudge is probably right, I think Facebook/Twitter probably have Nixle beat too. But in the end... something is always better than nothing.

[Odd]

I am an admin for my departments Facebook site. I actually think it gets out there better than Nixle.

Considering this is the first time I've heard of Nixle I'm inclined to agree with you. I don't even have a SlaveBook page and still hear about it at least a half dozen times a day. Heck, turns out I'm a danger to society and may just be a mass murderer because I don't have one.

Is not joining Facebook a sign you're a psychopath?

[pgg]

I must be a psycho also since I don't have one and have no plans on getting one.

[cwtlady]

Our local departments have FB pages. I think it's a great tool/asset. Many of the local happenings I've found on FB, I actually check them more than my own FB page. I think it's an opportunity for some in the community to get to know the workings of the PD's and to see that the police are working on cases and do care what happens in the community.