(WICHITA, Kan.) — Wichita police solve several crimes in less than 24-hours, and they credit social media. This is a trend officers hope will continue.
On wednesday, the larceny department posted a picture of a woman they were trying to identify in a missing cell phone case. Within two hours, detectives knew the name of the woman.involved
The Wichita police department Facebook page also help catch two suspects in a theft case.
Wichita Police Facebook Page
"Though social media, they were also identified," said Lieutenant Mike Hennessy. "We have two names and we are in the process of getting them located, and speaking with them about breaking into two lockers at the YMCA."
Officers are confident this on-line crime fighting tool will continue to see success, because it helps get the community involved.
"They are looking at it, they are interacting with us, and they are passing on information to the detectives" said Lieutenant Doug Nolte. "For us we see it as a win-win."
But its not just crime, the department's Facebook page is also a tool in other areas as well.
"One of the things people do appreciate is right before 5 o'clock we try to update traffic, where accidents are," Nolte said.
The WPD Facebook page has only been up about a year, and already has more than 6,000 likes. In fact it is the second most popular police department page among cities our size.
Plus with users sharing information on their Facebook pages, Nolte says the department's Facebook page has the capability to reach more than one million people. That means more people are helping the department fight crime.
The Omaha, Nebraska police department is beating the Wichita police department's Facebook page by about 1800 likes. Wichita officers are hopeful they will take over that number one spot soon.
