NCJ Number
181553
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 44-47
Date Published
February 2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
An Internet website helps a police agency communicate with citizens, generate leads, and increase public education and awareness; these benefits help in the apprehension and in crime prevention.
Abstract
Police agencies in several States use their websites to invite citizen input, respond to questions and suggestions, increase the speed and efficiency of providing and gathering information, and allow citizens to access active warrants. The Internet allows citizens to communicate with the police agency on their own terms, to send their concerns and non-emergency complaints at their convenience, and to explain situations in better detail without feeling rushed. Employment is also a common topic in e-mail inquiries. One agency has made several arrests as a result of wanted-persons tips received through its website. Unique features of the website of the Metro Nashville, Tenn., Police Department include a recovered property database, self-assessment tests to measure victimization risk, and tips on self-defense and domestic assault. The development of more Internet substations that link communities with their police agencies is likely to increase. List and descriptions of 9 police agency websites