NORWICH – The New York State Police are banking more on social media for the public’s help in capturing wanted individuals.
Starting this month, the New York State Police will be using Facebook to assist them in catching wanted individuals. Each Wednesday, the organization will post wanted posters to its Facebook page in hopes of getting a lead to the whereabouts of potentially dangerous individuals who have arrest and bench warrants against them from around the state.
According to the State Police, “Warrant Wednesday,” will help them track down some of the state’s most serious offenders.
“We are hoping that this will allow us to educate the public on certain people we are looking for,” explained Trooper Nathan Riegal, public information officer for NYS Troop C in Norwich. “It’s something people show a general interest in, and we believe it will really help us.”
Each Facebook posting will include a poster of a wanted individual by the New York State Police, along with information about the subject, charges they face, and a contact number for the appropriate State Police station. Photos will also be uploaded to the “photo album” of the State Police Facebook page.
While use of Facebook and other forms of social media are nothing new to law enforcement, Riegal said posting actual wanted posters of individuals is.
“Facebook has worked well for us in the past in helping us to find someone we are looking for. So, we decided to expand on that tool a little further,” he said.
He added that the public is encouraged to look at, and share “Warrant Wednesday” postings each week. However, it’s important that anyone with information as to the whereabouts of wanted individuals not take any police-type action. Instead, people with information are encouraged to use the phone numbers included in each wanted poster to call authorities.
Use of Facebook among local law enforcement has had a tremendous impact in the Norwich area for several years. The Norwich City Police took to Facebook as part of a community outreach initiative in 2011.
Although the NPD Facebook page is described as a “dual-edged sword” by Police Chief Joseph Angelino because of each posts need to be closely monitored by the department, he said it has proven a valuable resource.
“Sometimes, we are hesitant to use it because we do have to monitor it,” said Angelino, noting the page has garnered more than 6,100 “Likes.” But because postings help the department spread the word of individuals wanted for questioning, as well as surveillance images in burglary cases, road and school closings and delays, and weather emergencies, he added, “We’re fortunate to have it.”
Likewise, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has turned to Facebook for the same reasons.
“What’s most important is that it allows us almost immediate access to the public,” said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting. “It allows us to get safety issues to the public quickly and get almost immediate feedback.”
He added that prior to Facebook, it would commonly take weeks or months to get a lead. “Some cases would even go unsolved,” he added. “Social media has really made it possible to broaden our outreach and get tips almost instantly.”
To view the State Police “Warrant Wednesday” postings, visit the New York State Police Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nyspolice. There is no need to have a Facebook page to see postings.