Lancaster Police use Facebook to fight crime, keep residents informed

LANCASTER- Technology has changed virtually every aspect of people’s lives, especially how they acquire information and communicate with each other. The changes are particularly evident among teens and young adults, who have grown up in the digital age. To ensure they are communicating effectively with all generations, the Lancaster Police Department has recently launched its own Facebook page.

With this new development, officers will be able to share pertinent information instantly with thousands of people. For example, Lancaster Capt. William Karn explained that if there is a missing person or child within minutes a picture and details of this person could be placed on the page and hundreds and thousands of people become informed and can help.

It is new way for the department to reach out to residents, especially teenagers.

“This serves as a way for the department to reach out to them,” said Capt. Karn, mentioning that teenagers are the hardest group to reach.

The department also started posting active warrants on the page with the name and photo of a subject. According to Karn, on Tuesday they posted a subject and after numerous phone calls, within two hours, the department picked up the subject in Alden.

“It’s been working very well,” remarked Capt. Karn.

The page will also include updates on events going on in the community that the police department will be involved in such as the drop off site for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's "National Prescription 
Drug Take-Back Day" which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept.29, at Twin District Fire Department, 4999 William St., in Lancaster.

Although the police department’s page is only a few weeks old, it’s already filled with photos of department activities, such as arrests, historical photos of the department, photos of the new police and court facility being built, and the Lancaster Police Bike Patrol Unit, which was established in 2012.

“It will help us publicize to the community as to what the department is doing,” said Capt. Karn.

As of Thursday evening, 228 people have” liked” the page and more residents are encouraged to stay up-to-date with the department. Anybody who “likes” the page will receive status updates on their newsfeed.

“We are trying to keep it relevant and interesting,” commented Capt. Karn. “It is a new way for the public to help us out as we get information to help them.”

Facebook users can check out the page and “like” the page by going to www.facebook.com/lancasterpolicedept.