Law enforcementMaine police uses social media, sponsored apps to fight crime

The accessibility of smartphones and the popularity of apps are making it easier for police to share and receive information from the public.

Darrell Crandall, former head of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and now Chief Deputy Sheriff of Aroostook County, is embracing social media as a tool for law enforcement to share information about crime, community events, celebrations – and for the public conveniently to communicate with police. “We had a radio system, but it was not highly effective, especially around Haynesville and Macwahoc,” said Crandall, referring to an earlier period in his 30-year career, when radio communications between officers in remote areas of the state was not dependable. “I actually had a network of people in those areas who I could knock on their doors day or night and use their phones if I needed to communicate with the sheriff’s office.”

Bangor Daily News reports that law enforcement agencies in Maine are using department-managed social media pages to engage with the public. “I like the idea of sharing information with the public,” Presque Isle Police Chief Matthew Irwin said. “My impression has been there had not been a whole lot of public interaction between the police and the public.”

Irwin’s department released an app that allows smartphone users to track some department activities and alerts. “I figured the phone app would give people an opportunity to participate in what we have going on,” Irwin said. “They could track where some of the calls for service, people who are wanted by the department and an assortment of other items.”

Presque Isle Police funds the app with money from recovered items and cash seized from drug busts. “I really like the idea we are taking the drug dealers’ money and using it against them,” Irwin said.

Crandall’s department plans to release their app in January 2014 and fund the app the same way. “It’s pretty hard to go anywhere these days and not see someone without a smartphone in their hand, or on their pocket or clipped onto their belt,” Crandall said. “I am hoping people who see or hear something and who may not otherwise contact us will do so if they can do it with just a push of a button.” According to Crandall, the MDEA uses a similar app. “When I was there, [the app] was a very big source of information for the MDEA,” he said “I am hopeful it will be even more so with the sheriff’s office, [and] it will generate a fair amount of information.”

Facebook has been an effective social media site for Presque Isle police and the Aroostook County deputy sheriffs. “The Facebook thing is more indicative of what [communications technology] is likely to become,” Irwin said. “You can get a conversation going, and people are glad to have these conversations.”

Ellsworth Police Department, Chief John Deleo praises Facebook for bridging the communication gap between law enforcement and local residents. “We have a Facebook page, and it’s working out great,” he said. “It’s keeping us in contact with a lot of residents, and we have fans from all over the state and even people who used to live in the area and moved out of state.” Deleo uses Facebook for identifying crime suspects, typically shoplifters and thieves. “We have a couple of large retail merchants in our area, and that has generated shoplifting complaints,” he said. “They have photo and video surveillance, and we get a photo or a video from them and can post that on our [Facebook] page and ask people if they know who those individuals are.” The department often receives calls or social media notices with information that leads to arrests. “I did get dragged into the whole Facebook thing kicking and screaming,” he said with a laugh. “But I am absolutely glad we have done it.”

The ability of the police to share messages directly with the public is an important communication tool for law enforcement. “We are able to put our own message out without it being watered down,” Irwin said. “That is a very valuable tool.”

Robert Schwartz, executive director of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association said that social media is a “great way to get out information and receive information,” but that policies need to be issued to guide what law enforcement officers can post on social media.