Maine PD joins Facebook

January 30, 2009 11:58 AM

By Mark LaFlamme
Sun Journal

AUBURN, Maine — Attention, citizens. There is now a way for you to poke, hug, throw a snowball at or write on the wall of the Auburn Police Department without fear of repercussion.

Before you go rushing off to the station at 1 Minot Ave., however, you might want to keep in mind that all of this is possible only on Facebook.

In an effort to connect and communicate with citizens, the Auburn Police Department has joined one of the most popular online social networks.

It is first police department in New England to reach out to the online community this way, said Chief Phil Crowell.

“Inviting and encouraging online participation through a social networking site like Facebook shows that we are keeping up with the times and promoting the mission and message of the department in a whole new way,” Crowell said.

The department is not a part of the Facebook crowd for typical reasons. That is, it probably won’t be gossiping, hooking up with old girlfriends or trying to promote a rock ‘n’ roll band.

But that’s not to say there isn’t fun to be had.

Anyone can join Facebook and become a “fan” of the Auburn Police Department. Once a fan, visitors to the APD Facebook page can view photos, find the latest news releases and receive up-to-the-minute bulletins and information, such as parking bans and links to community events.

Facebook friends of the department might even become amateur sleuths.

“We are hoping to enhance citizen participation and input with this Facebook page,” Deputy Chief Jason Moen said. “We’ll even be posting photos and video footage in the hope that citizens will be able to help us solve various crimes by identifying the offenders.”

Facebook will allow the APD to post photos, bulletins and crime data, solicit feedback from citizens and reach out to the community in a new and exciting way, Moen said.

To become a fan of APD on Facebook, simply visit www.facebook.com. Once you have enrolled, search for “Auburn Police Department.”

By the way, hugs, pokes, snowballs and wall-writing are Facebook applications - completely optional.