HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 11-25 Police partner with Nextdoor, virtual neighborhood watch underway MAPLEWOOD REVIEW2/22/2016 Police partner with Nextdoor, virtual neighborhood watch underway I Lillie Suburban Newspapers - LillieNews.com
Police partner with Nextdoor,
virtual neighborhood watch
underway
Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 11/25/2015 - 12:00am
Maplewood resident Sandy Dicke joined Nextdoor, an online neighborhood platform, just a few weeks ago and she doesn't
quite know what to make of the barrage of information she's receiving from other users in the Gladstone neighborhood.
"Today somebody found a dog in Gladstone at Highway 36 and [Highway] 61. Information like that is good," she says while
reviewing her news feed Nov. 17.
"But I justthink there's a lot more information there than I'm interested in receiving, or will act on," she adds, referring to the
postings about organized trash collection, household items for sale, and referrals for local repair services like plumbers.
Dicke says she joined atthe encouragement of Mayor Nora Slawik, who told her she could get crime updates from her local
police on Nextdoor as well.
"I went on the site because I felt it would be a good connection with the police department, to get the correct stories, not
gossip," Dicke says.
As long as the police continue to post about police activity in her neighborhood, she says she'll keep her account active.
In an effort to reach more residents where they're at— at home, on their smartphones —the Maplewood Police Department
announced its partnership with Nextdoor on Nov. 6. Police hope to utilize the forum to build stronger, safer communities
through increased information sharing.
"Several Maplewood neighborhoods have been using Nextdoor as a virtual block club platform," Police Chief Paul Schnell
said in a press release. "Since Nextdoor helps empower neighbors to keep their communities informed and connected, we
hope others will join in this virtual neighborhood watch effort."
Tracking crime online
With Nextdoor, users can create private neighborhood websites to share information, including community events, local
services and lost pet alerts. But Nextdoor representatives are also eager to partner with municipal law enforcement agencies,
leveraging the free communications tool to enhance public safety through the Nextdoor for Public Agencies platform.
To date, Nextdoor has partnered with more than 1,200 local agencies across the country — half of which are law enforcement
agencies. In Minnesota, 25 local agencies have already partnered with Nextdoor, including the cities of Roseville, St. Louis
Park and Minneapolis, along with the Minneapolis police and fire departments.
According to Nextdoor spokeswoman Jennifer Burke, there are more than 1,800 neighborhoods in the greater Twin Cities
connected on Nextdoor. In Maplewood, residents representing 30 neighborhoods hold active accounts.
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2/22/2016 Police partner with Nextdoor, virtual neighborhood watch underway I Lillie Suburban Newspapers - LillieNews.com
She also describes the partnership as a way to create virtual neighborhood watch systems.
"On Nextdoor, the Maplewood PD posts information such as crime prevention initiatives, safety updates, public events, and
emergency notifications to Nextdoor websites within their service area," Burke says.
Since joining Nextdoor, Chief Schnell has posted information a handful of times, mostly with alerts and updates on the Hazel
Street homicide. On Nov. 7, Schnell posted a full press release on Nextdoor, notifying residents that a 31 -year-old man had
been shot and killed inside his home. He has continued to post updates, as the investigation into the murder of Justin Wright
continues.
Slawik says she noticed many residents thanked Schnell online when he addressed their security concerns by posting
"investigators do NOT believe the shooting was a RANDOM act."
"It's greatto see Chief Schnell and the Maplewood Police Department reaching outto residents through Nextdoor," Slawik
says.
When she firstjoined Nextdoor, she belonged to the South Maplewood group. She has since moved to the Frost Lake group.
"Many neighbors post about car thefts, strange vehicles, suspicious door-to-door salesman and other crime related items,"
she says. "It makes a virtual crime watch where neighbors can chat online."
Virtual privacy fences
One of the features that sets Nextdoor apart from other online social networks is a set of unique security features. For starters,
each Nextdoor neighborhood can only be accessed by members who have verified their residence.
"Each Maplewood neighborhood has its own private Nextdoor neighborhood website, accessible only to residents of that
neighborhood," Burke explains.
Not even the police can access posts and user information. It's up to residents to engage in a two-way stream of
communication.
Also, information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by Google or other search engines,
says Burke. And the company does not share users' information with third parties.
While she's a proponent of the police presence on Nextdoor, Slawik is quick to remind residents that Maplewood police can't
access residents' websites, contact information or content. Any suspicious activity should be reported the old -fashion way: a
911 call.
Erin Hinrichs can be reached at 651-748-7814 and ehinrichs@lillienews.com. Follow her at twitter.com/EHinrichsNews.
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