24 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: SEPTEMBER 2017 I f you haven’t seen the episode of Black Mir- ror (Netflix) starring Bryce Dallas Howard called “Nosedive” you’re missing out. It’s a frighten- ing commentary on how we’re losing our humanity to technology by chasing likes and upvotes on social media. In a related story, an increasing number of us seem to be spending so much of our time on Facebook that we’re actu- ally forgetting how basic things work like calling the cops. In Wisconsin, the Keno- sha Police Department officials are encourag- ing people who believe “they are being targeted for abduction,” to report those incidents to police instead of posting it on Facebook. The advice comes on the heels of several reports on regular and social me- dia from women who say they’ve been targeted by men who have attempted to talk them into a vehicle or appear to be following them or speaking to them inappropriately. It’s unclear from all the confusion whether these incidents are just standard pickup attempts or some- thing more serious. In one incident, a wom- an told a Milwaukee tele- vision station that two men in a white pickup truck followed her while she was walking in downtown Kenosha. The unidentified woman claimed the men “attempt- ed to block her way.” She says she ran into a store for help. Kenosha police said the incident was never reported. They saw it on Facebook, though. “If you feel uncomfort- able, you should call us,” Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said. “We take these incidents very seriously. I’m glad they are reporting it, but it needs to be to the police,” he told reporters with The Kenosha News. No one likes to stay off Facebook for too long – except weirdos that “don’t do social media.” But authorities say if you feel like you’ve been vic- timized it’s best to call the cops even if it won’t gener- ate as many likes, upvotes and “friend” requests. Back in June, a woman was abducted in Milwau- kee, sexually assaulted and then left on the side of the road in Pleasant Prairie. The two suspects in that sexual assault and abduc- tion were later arrested in Kentucky. There was another at- tempted abduction in Kenosha shortly there- after, and soon enough people were reporting more attempted abduc- tions on social media. LOL! Did U C the video of the donkey on the motorcycle that Karen posted? Baby? What baby? Oh my baby. He’s fine. Got 2 go now – think there’s someone in the house. Send- ing friend request to police department now. Are they on Instagram too? Social media, despite its reputation as the ultimate agent of self- promotion, actually feeds on self-loathing. – Meghan Daum Facebook effect In Honolulu, Hawaii pedestrians will be hit with fines if they are spotted looking at their phones while using crosswalks. Local lawmakers recently passed Bill 6, an ordinance that hits anyone cross- ing “a street or highway while viewing a mobile electronic device” with a penalty. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell held a news conference at one of the city’s busiest intersections, where he announced the new law. He said the fines are a reminder for people to use common sense as they walk around that beautiful city, so they don’t become another statistic. According to Reuters, there were more than 11,000 injuries stemming from distracted pedestrians between 2000 and 2011. The bill, which goes into effect on October 25th, lev- ies a fine of $15 to $35 for a first offense, $35 to $75 for a second in the span of a year, and $75 to $99 for a third time. No phones in Honolulu