Social Media Expansion
Contacts on FWPD social media sites, including Twitter and Facebook, increased significantly in 2014.
The FWPD Public Relations Office (PRO) uses social media to communicate and respond to residents. With the growing number of social media followers, the PRO needed help responding to the numerous messages it receives through FWPD’s social media sites. The PRO signed up for Social Media Capture (SMC4), a free social media monitoring tool, which sends the entire PRO team automated alerts to messages (i.e., threats, compliments, profanity, negative comments) received on its social media sites. The software allows the PRO to respond quickly and stay vigilant of all communications the department receives. SMC4 has proven itself a successful tool in the department’s continued communication with residents and social media followers.
Detail Created to Address Homeless Population Needs
In November, a new Central Division detail was created to address the needs of the homeless population in the East Lancaster Avenue area.
The goals of the Homeless Outreach Program and Enforcement (HOPE) detail are to reduce homeless-related calls for service, provide better assistance to the homeless, and to improve the safety and quality of life in the community. The HOPE detail consists of seven officers: a lieutenant, sergeant, detective, neighborhood patrol officer, homeless liaison officer, and two neighborhood resource officers. The HOPE team will engage with local homeless agencies and partners in an effort to create long-term solutions for the city’s homeless citizens and to provide them enhanced access to police services.
After only one month of increased community involvement and outreach, enforcement, and a greater presence throughout the area, the HOPE detail has experienced a reduction in both crime and calls for service in the area around the city’s homeless shelters. In addition to these efforts, the homeless liaison officer, along with area agencies, supplied dinner at local restaurants and held a Christmas party for children at several shelters.
19
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs