Pearl River County turning to Facebook to fight crime

PEARL RIVER COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -

The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department is turning to Facebook to fight crime. If you friend the department, you’ll find the faces of wanted criminals. As Al Showers reports, the idea is to use the power of social media to put criminals behind bars.

The newest pics on the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page probably aren’t friends with Sheriff’s Department. County crime fighting has hit social media.

“We just decided that we would post photos or mug shots of our wanted felons. And put their pictures and information for what they’re wanted for,” said Shane Tucker, the Chief Deputy of Pearl River County’s Sheriff’s Department.

Tucker said using the power of social media to track down suspected criminals is just another tool to stay ahead of the bad guys.

“There are individuals that spend significant amounts of time on social networking sites,” Tucker said. ”They’re friends with a lot people that may be friends with some of the folks that we’re looking for.”

But if you don’t want to be the one tagging a friend as a criminal, Tucker said they have way to protect someone’s anonymity.

“They can respond with a tip on the facebook page itself. Or if they’re uncomfortable with us knowing their identity, the phone numbers for our department are posted, and they can contact our department anonymously,” Tucker said.

The department’s year old Facebook page evolved from social to serious about a month ago.

“If we had a missing child, that would be another avenue along with other investigative resources that are available to get information out to the public quickly or tips related to crimes,” Tucker said.

So far, Facebook hasn’t slammed the cuffs on anyone, but deputies are confident it will. And they know, social media will can help them protect and serve.

The Pearl River County Emergency Management Agency is also using Facebook as a tool to give and receive information from the public. You can find either agency on Facebook by searching their names.

Copyright 2011 WLOX. All rights reserved.

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New NYPD Social Media Unit Is In Your Facebook, Watching Your Newsfeed

“What, really? How do I get that gig?” (lempkin‘s flickr).

Back in June Police Commissioner Ray Kelly let slip that the NYPD is regularly searching Twitter and Facebook for leads on out-of-control house parties and unsolved crimes. Now he’s made it official. The NYPD has bumped Lieutenant Kevin O’Conner up to Assistant Commissioner in charge of a brand new juvenile justice unit specifically intended to mine social media for information. Time to tweak your privacy settings?

Considering the rising importance of social media in everything from the unrest in the Middle East to (preventing and organizing) the riots in London to crime fighting here, the move is hardly surprising. Especially since everything you say on Facebook can be used against you.

Back in June, Kelly said that “We look at social networking. We’re very much focused on weekend parties.” But that’s not all! The new unit won’t just be trolling Facebook though. As part of the Community Affairs Bureau it will also handle outreach programs “with its mandate going beyond the Net.”

So…when can we expect Law Order: Online Crimes Unit?

Do You Think The NYPD Should Be Trolling Social Media?

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