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Yonkers Police Savvy Users of Social Media

YONKERS, N.Y. – Yonkers police are taking a social approach to fighting crime.

Over the past two years the Yonkers Police Department has launched a Facebook page, a Twitter account and even a YouTube channel, creating one of the most extensive social media campaigns among Westchester County law enforcement.

And people are paying attention. The department’s Facebook page has racked up more than 700 likes, and its Twitter account has more than 370 followers, while YouTube views are in the thousands.

“Social media, especially with younger people, is growing, so it’s a good tool to get our message out,” Yonkers Detective Lt. Patrick McCormack said.

McCormack said the department’s interest in social media is twofold. First, it helps police to make information easily available on almost a daily basis with things like traffic alerts, crime prevention tips, surveillance videos and news releases.

Second, it is used as an investigative tool, as detectives and patrol officers monitor the Web for gang activity or information on a suspect.

McCormack cited a case over the holiday season in which police hunted for a person who had desecrated about a dozen religious statues throughout the city. The vandal was never caught, but the incidents stopped after surveillance video of the person was released.

“I like to think the person was aware we were looking for them,” McCormack said.

Residents looking for even more information can sign up for Citizen Alerts, download an iPhone app, or receive department updates via email and text. Yonkers police have also created an anonymous text tip line, tip411, giving residents a chance to call the police about possible crimes without giving up their names.

“It’s helpful,” McCormack said. “We are receiving a lot of helpful information from the public.”

With social media’s presence growing, McCormack said he doesn’t think Yonkers police will abandon their online tools anytime soon.

“It’s only going to get bigger,” he said.

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