For a couple of years now, police and fire agencies around Snohomish County have been experimenting with social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter.
Some agencies have struggled to decide which tools to use, and how to use them to reach community members and media outlets in appropriate ways. Many who don’t yet use social media say they are thinking about it but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
In Everett, though, the police are especially proud of their Facebook page, which officially launched in May and has more than 300 “likes.”
Officer Aaron Snell, the new department spokesman, is writing many of the posts.
“This is an effort for us to use modern technology and communication to actually reach a broader population base,” he said.
The department used to keep its “blotter” on its main website, where it seemed to draw a lot of readers, Snell said. The blotter bits now are instead posted to Facebook, along with information about community events, safety bulletins and crime prevention tips.
“Overall, we’re excited to be using it,” Snell said. “It’s a new thing for us.”
The department’s Twitter account also is active, but geared more toward media and breaking news.
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