Las Vegas police tweet to get public’s attention
Las Vegas police have joined the Twitter Age, using the 140-character "micro-blogging" service Twitter.com as a tool to spread information to the public.
The Metropolitan Police Department has been "tweeting" everything from missing persons information to job postings to community event reminders.
When an infant was found unattended at a bus stop Wednesday afternoon, a "tweet" was posted with pictures and descriptions. A day later, a post that the baby girl had been identified and her mother located was sent.
"We are still learning how valuable it is," department spokesman Sgt. John Loretto said. "You don't have to be tied to a desk to get the message. People can get it right to their phone."
That instantaneous connection with their followers helps police get the word out about breaking news events or conditions on the street that may affect people.
The month-old Twitter page is just one online resource the department uses.
The page, which can be "followed" by searching the department's name "LVMPD," joins Facebook and MySpace pages and its general Web site to give people up-to-date information.
As of Friday afternoon, the Las Vegas police Twitter page had 807 followers.
Loretto said more people join every day.
Followers are also able to respond directly to the department in the form of "@replies."
Police departments across the country are using Twitter as their newest alert tool.
Loretto said Las Vegas police got the idea from a department in Boston.
North Las Vegas and Henderson police do not have Twitter pages.
Todd Rasmussen, spokesman for the Henderson police, said the department has considered using it but not in the immediate future.
Loretto admitted that the public information officers, who post the tweets, are still defining what to tweet and when; but he sees the benefits of the direct correspondence.
"Its purpose is clear. We're definitely interested in continuing using it."
Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.
