Florida turns to Facebook to catch poachers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 2 (UPI) — Florida wildlife officials have turned to Facebook and other social media to catch poachers who display photos of their illegal catches.

“People go on Facebook bragging about their exploits. They think they’re protected,” Lt. George Wilson, who oversees the Internet Crimes Unit of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

An increase in the number of Internet-related calls prompted the commission to create the unit late last year.

Investigators, who sometimes create fake Facebook pages, rely on online photographs, videos and comments as evidence. The commission looks into about 10 complaints a week about people posting images of hunting and fishing out of season or breaking other wildlife laws, the Sun-Sentinel said.

The Internet Crimes Unit made 177 arrests and issued 92 warnings last year.

Tips often come from online friends, who receive a $100 reward for tips leading to misdemeanor convictions.

Tom Twyford, president of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, said he hopes wildlife investigators pursue more serious violations and show leniency in cases where people are unaware of the law.

“It’s easy to get confused,” Twyford said. “Florida’s laws are lengthy and complex.”

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Alliance Police Facebook page content debated – WKYC

ALLIANCE — A three month long debate over comments on the Alliance Police Facebook page has come to a head.

The question, whether such a page, complete with surveillance video, mug shots, and police reports full of personal information does the community more harm than good.

Critics say some of the comments that are posted, could taint a jury, invite cyber bullying, and reflect badly on the Alliance community.

Police chief Scott Griffith says in the last 18 months tips from the Facebook page helped lead to 15 arrests. He says the information is invaluable not to mention it’s a great promotional tool for the department and gives citizens an opportunity to keep in contact with police.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, At-Large Councilman Steve Okey, who is also running for mayor, asked the chief to meet with city leaders to discuss their concerns.

The chief agreed but says he will not give editorial control of the police Facebook page to anyone outside the department.

WKYC-TV

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