NCJ Number
228836
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 36 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 80,82,84
Date Published
September 2009
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article explains why and how law enforcement agencies are utilizing the new social networking site (SNS), Twitter as a tool to get information out to the public.
Abstract
Twitter was launched publicly in 2006 as a social networking site (SNS) designed to answer one question: "What are you doing?" Users answer this question in tweets of 140 characters or less that are received via mobile texting, instant messaging or the Web. It is a way for individuals to stay connected and network with others. This article describes how the Milwaukee Police Department and other law enforcement agencies across the country are utilizing Twitter to communicate with their communities directly. The Milwaukee Police Department provides local crime statistics via Twitter, as well as to recognize its employees. Police departments are tweeting about traffic situations, ground searches, descriptions of missing children, and crime information. Although Twitter, like most technology advancements, comes with problems, it provides police departments with another tool to connect with their community. Social networking services allow agencies to quickly and easily send out information directly from the source inviting stronger communication and relationships with the public.