Police Departments and Today’s Social Media

The rise of social media has created significant change for the average American. U.S. citizens aren’t the only ones who have started using things like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share details about life. Interestingly police, fire and other departments in the government have been posting an increasing number of details about crime fighting to the public.

In fact, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently published an article about the use of social media for law enforcement and how criteria should be created to standardize how police departments use details about their crime fighting efforts. The concern from the government was that improper use of information could lead to safety problems for officers, as well as problems down the line when cases were set for trial.

Social Media as a Crime Fighting Tool

One of the primary uses of social media for law enforcement today is as an investigative tool that helps officers and investigators solve crimes. Social media titan, Facebook, is often a goldmine for law enforcement when they need details about a suspect. Consider that posts made can help the police establish a timeline for a person’s whereabouts and connect him or her to a crime, or absolve that individual of any wrongdoing.

Pushback from legal rights advocates has resulted in some protest of the use of social media in investigations because of the possibility of an invasion of privacy; however, law enforcement has been successful in using social media for their purposes. Additionally, news and media outlets have also followed in law enforcement’s footsteps by using social media to investigate current events.

Soliciting the Public’s Help

In addition to serving as an investigative option for law enforcement, social media represents a swift method for communicating with the public about important matters. The “24/7” nature of social media has meant that sharing information with people has become faster when social networks have been used, rather than traditional methods like newspapers and media conferences.

One of the ways that police departments have worked to share details about social media with the public is through the posting of images and videos to Facebook feeds. For example, some departments have started posting surveillance videos of suspects in action so as to solicit the public’s help in getting the identity of the perpetrators.

Law Enforcement Coming Around

Interestingly, not all law enforcement officers have embraced social media as quickly as others. A recent article published by Mashable shared the story of the chief of staff at the police department in Oakland, California. The chief wasn’t convinced that social media was the way to go, but after an event where a pair of officers in the department used Twitter to notify the public of a gunman on a school campus, everyone at the department started to see the value in using social media.

Today’s law enforcement professionals have a strong tool at their hands when they choose to use social media as a way to solve crimes and keep the public safe. However, police departments must be careful in how they choose to use this technology so as to keep the public and members of the department as safe as possible during investigations and emergencies.

GPS Devices Help Keep Kids Safe

Parents invariably worry about their children whether they’re in the backyard playing with the dog or across the country in a college dorm. Some parents whose children are headed out into the world for the first time to kindergarten or to play with neighborhood friends are using sophisticated tracking systems to help keep their kids safe when they’re away from home.

Safety Precaution or Spying Device?

Since Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has been widely used for more than a decade, many are comfortable using it when they need help getting from point A to point B. When it comes to using a GPS tracker for children, however, some parents fear it is akin to spying. Parents know that toddlers and young children can wander off quickly, so overcoming this fear could help avoid moments of panic in the future.

How GPS Works

With a GPS receiver, such as those found in smartphones and wrist watches, a signal is sent out to 27 Earth-orbiting satellites. The receiver’s job is to locate four or more of the satellites, figure out the distance to each, and use that information to pinpoint its location. GPS systems are very accurate, and it just takes seconds to locate a device and the person holding it.

GPS Devices Come in Many Packages

For children who might not be ready for the responsibility of owning a smartphone, there are other items a parent can use to track his or her child. GPS tracking devices can come in wrist watches, shoes or standalone units that can be clipped on a child’s clothes.

Additionally, some devices today also come with extra features that allow the user to notify a security monitoring service if there’s a problem. Just like the red panic button on a car alarm remote, some GPS devices also feature a panic button, which is a valuable option to help lost children find an adult quickly.

Know the Law

Before using a GPS tracking system, it’s a good idea to research local laws that regulate the ability of a parent to track his or her child. Just like there are rules to protect people from unauthorized voice recordings over the telephone, there are some rules that guide who can track another person with GPS.

Using GPS technology to track your children is convenient and comforting for parents raising children in a modern world, but it shouldn’t take the place of regular talks about safety. Telling children how to deal with strangers and how to call for help if there is trouble are still important conversations to have.

In addition to keeping the family safe with monitored home security systems, safety can extend beyond the front door with GPS tracking devices. Whether using a wrist watch for young children or buying a smartphone for older kids, devices outfitted with GPS technology can help parents stay in contact with their children at all times.

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