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August 28, 2008
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Ariz. police a-Twitter over news alerts
By Heidi Homa
The Arizona Republic SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scottsdale police are jumping to the leading edge of digitally disseminating news about crime, road closures and other safety issues as they happen. Anyone can view alerts online at Twitter.com a free online service that relays information on the Web. In addition, people may subscribe to text-message updates on mobile phones or instant messages on a range of devices from Twitter, according to Sgt. Mark Clark , public information officer for the Scottsdale Police Department. "The public expects quick and direct information from the police department about incidents that may affect their neighborhood or commute," Clark said in an email. "Twitter is one service of many that allows us to do that." Twitter, Inc. is becoming a more popular tool for direct and quick access to important information. Scottsdale is the first Valley department to use Twitter. The Chandler Police Department has set up an account, but updates have not been added. The Peoria department is considering Twitter, Clark said. The departments found Twitter through the National Information Officers Association , a network of public information officers from local, state, and federal government, he said. Twitter is not replacing the Scottsdale police Web site, where details on crimes and investigations can be found. The Twitter site simply adds a tool featuring alerts about current incidents in residents' neighborhoods, including road closures and police presence at crime scenes in nearby areas, Clark said. "(Public information officers) get the information from the officers on the street, and we put it out," he added. PIOs can also update Twitter at crime scenes. Twitter started in March 2006 and was created for people "to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?" according to its Web site . Subscribers can inform others about anything in 140 characters or less. Friends and family can find out what's for dinner, while coworkers can see important information, like if someone is running late for a meeting. Twitter also has become popular among businesses. Cisco Systems, Inc. and Whole Foods Market use Twitter to provide product information. The Los Angeles Fire Department uses Twitter to send out wildfire updates, and Barack Obama's presidential campaign sends out information on his activities. Scottsdale police said they want Twitter to become a useful tool to keep the community informed. "As technology advances, we are always looking for new tools to communicate with the public," Clark said. Copyright 2008 The Arizona Republic
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