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Social media has come a long way since its inception. From connecting with family and friends to discussing hot topics with people with similar interests, communication via social media offers several advantages. One of those advantages is the ability to report and prevent crime in your neighborhood. 

Many law enforcement agencies across the nation rely on social media to communicate crimes and other important information to the public. According to an article published in Dispatch (2018), social media is “a great tool for community policing and the ability to disseminate information and reduce crime.” 

With its instant line of communication and viral nature, more and more residents are also turning to social media as a way to not only keep informed about crime in their neighborhoods, but also to alert others of criminal activity within their communities.

The following are some of the benefits social media has to offer when it comes to reporting and preventing crimes:

  • Social media helps residents keep abreast of criminal activity in and around their neighborhoods, increasing the level of vigilance among neighbors and sense of community.
  • Social media allows residents to report and receive alerts about suspicious people, vehicles, and activities the in real time, which helps to warn others.
  • Social media helps law enforcement prioritize their workload and respond faster to crimes in progress. Photos and videos of the criminal offenders also aid police in locating the suspects. 
  • Social media facilitates communication among members of Neighborhood Watch programs and allows them to easily connect with local police departments, community officials, recreation centers, home security organizations, and more.
  • Social media allows residents to connect with home security vendors and receive alerts about special promotions and discounts on protective home security devices. 

Security Tips for Using Social Media to Organize an Online Crime Watch Community

Many neighborhoods are now using social media to organize online Crime Watch communities to keep local residents and law enforcement officials abreast of crime and other activities within their neighborhoods. Such online communities offer a number of advantages to local residents, and anyone can establish one.

Before organizing an online Crime Watch community of your own, it is important to understand the risks of establishing an online account. To ensure the security and safety of those who join your online community, follow these simple yet effective social media security tips:

  • Before inviting others to join your Crime Watch community, take time to create the guidelines and rules for your community members. This will help establish the do’s and don’ts when it comes to the various messages and communication among members. Doing so will help keep your online community from being used as a platform for others’ personal means and maintain the community’s true purpose—to keep others abreast of crime within your neighborhood.
  • Only allow residents within the desired community or neighborhood to join the group. You can do this by requiring each person who asks to join the group to provide proof of residency via a copy of a utility bill, property tax bill, or mortgage statement. 
  • Ensure every member understands the importance of protecting their privacy and the privacy of other members in the group that they may know. Members should never share personal information about their living circumstances (i.e., single mom, widow, live alone, etc.), work status, or schedules. Doing so can make them targets for burglary, home invasions, and other crimes.
  • Add or link your local law enforcement agency to your online Crime Watch community. If you find that your local police department has yet to establish an online social media account, meet with the appropriate official and share the benefits that social media collaboration can have in terms of reporting and preventing crime in your community.

Use Social Media to Report and Prevent Crime

With there now being billions of people using social media to communicate, the platform to communicate with neighbors is at your fingertips. If members of your neighborhood have yet to connect, perhaps you can be the one who organizes an online Crime Watch community and help others to report and prevent crime within your neighborhood.