Police Reach Out Through Social Media

By Millar Hill

Windsor police are using social media as a tool to inform the public of potentially dangerous individuals with outstanding warrants.

The Windsor police launched the Wanted in Windsor webpage in May 2013 as part of their new website. Its purpose is to inform the public of wanted offenders as well as receive information to track them down. Windsor police Sgt. Matthew D’Asti said before social media, only officers had access to the information seen on the wanted list.

“Now that we’re able to share this with the community, people are engaged and want to help,” said D’Asti.

A dedicated group of staff works with the Canadian Police Information Centre, a networking system that gives all officers access to the same information. These staff members maintain the wanted list.

“They look day-to-day if people have the outstanding warrants. They look to see if the warrant(s) still exist and then upload it to the wanted page,” said D’Asti.

In its first two years, the Windsor police Facebook page has gained 8,130 followers and they have 11,200 followers on Twitter. Updates to the wanted list are posted on social media and seen by followers. Crime Stoppers police coordinator, Leigh-Ann Goodwin, said the wanted list has been a successful resource in aiding in the arrests of wanted offenders.

“When information is received by the public, it is filtered down to the investigation and then handed off to the officer in relation to the case,” said Goodwin. “I think it is one of the best resources out there.”

The Wanted in Windsor webpage currently has eight individuals listed. Arrest warrants listed range from petty to serious crimes. For example, Lonnie Smith has been wanted since last September for assault with a weapon, death threats and probation breach.
If anyone has any information pertaining to wanted individuals or their whereabouts, contact Windsor Police Service at 519-258-6111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-519-258-8477.