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Local
Police Chief Launches New Tool To Keep Residents Safe
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, Tampa Po- lice Chief Eric Ward launched a new program de- signed to keep residents safe and informed. The new tool is an app referred to as “Nextdoor.”
The app makes it possible for the police to communicate with residents via private and secured websites. Using this new application, residents can communicate with the of- ficers who work in their re- spective neighborhoods.
Chief Ward said, “Hav- ing the ability to easily com- municate with residents is extremely vital to not only maintaining, but also increas- ing safety and reducing crime
within our communities. “With Nextdoor, we can help empower neighbors to keep their communities safe and connected, as well as give them the ability to collaborate on neighborhood watch ef- forts with the push of a but-
ton,” Chief Ward said.
The app is the result of a partnership between the Tampa Police Department and a private social media network site. The company has partnered with other law enforcement agencies and
had successful results.
Chief Ward said his goal
for the department utilizing the app is to increase safety and strengthen virtual neigh- borhood watch.
Currently more than 22,000 Tampa residents are
ERIC WARD Tampa Police Chief
using the site to communicate with their neighbors. The po- lice department’s partnership with Nextdoor will provide officers with an additional re- source for keeping residents informed and engaged in the
safety of their respective neighborhoods, Chief Ward further stated.
The department felt the new app would be beneficial because many people don’t take the time to actually talk with their neighbors. But many people us mobile de- vices frequently throughout the day. And, this app is just another tool that has been made available to them.
Ms. Janelle McGregor,
spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, “The intended purpose of the app is to allow people in a desig- nated community to talk with each other.
“If someone wants to talk about crime or safety, they have to include law enforce- ment in the conversation.
Otherwise, the information exchanged is strictly for the people. It is like a community bulletin board.
“But it is not monitored 24 hours a day, and it should not be used to replace making important calls to our non- emergency number or 9-1-1,” she stressed.
The app does not allow all neighborhoods to communi- cate with each other. In fact, the people using the app are required to register with the company or online and must use their correct names. Ad- ditionally, those signing up must provide proof of resi- dency.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the app can visit the website at www.Nextdoor.com.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B