The Allen County sheriff’s department has begun to use the social network Facebook as a means to apprehend those wanted on arrest warrants, said Sheriff Bryan Murphy.
The department acted on a tip from Tim Beckham, a former deputy now working in Barton County. Its Facebook page has a “most wanted” section which has yielded success, Murphy said.
As of Friday, Allen County had 561 outstanding warrants, a typical number for a county of Allen’s size, Murphy said. Many are for traffic violations, failure to appear for a court appearance, small claims and misdemeanor crimes. Those charged with higher profile crimes usually don’t have the option to skip out — they either have to post a hefty bond or are incarcerated from the day they’re arrested.
Only 10 are posted at any one time on the department’s Facebook page. It is easily accessible from the Sheriff’s Department website, allencosheriff.org, by clicking on “Most Wanted” at the top of the page. “I’m glad I have some people on staff who are savvy about using Facebook,” he added.
“We picked up three people in just the first week,” on calls from people who noticed someone they knew, and their whereabouts, Murphy said. “Before, most people didn’t know who was on the warrant list. Now they do, and as the word gets around I think we’ll get a lot more help from the public.”
To make a report, a citizen may call the sheriff’s office during business hours at 365-1400; Allen County Crime Stoppers anytime at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477); by text at ALLEN 274637; or 911. In some cases, a reward may be available through Crime Stoppers. All callers’ identities will be shielded from public disclosure.
“We’ve had a couple of negative feedbacks from people who think putting pictures and information on Facebook is a privacy violation, but it isn’t if someone is wanted,” Murphy said. “We’re using social media as just another law-enforcement tool.”
Murphy allowed it’s not going to be a cure-all. “Someone from out of state isn’t likely to be reported, and if they were there are limitations on what we can do.” Also, only those who have gone through booking procedures at the jail at least once will have a photo on file with the department.
“In the short time we’ve used Facebook it’s been productive, and I think it will be even more so when the word gets around,” Murphy said. “We’ve also had good response” from law enforcement agencies in the area. “Mike Ford (Iola officer who deals with Crime Stoppers) was over the other day and said he thought it was great.”
Sheriff’s department uses social media to fight crime
