OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Police officers are constantly adapting to new social media platforms to connect with the public.
"Our main deal is Twitter and Facebook. That's where we get the most impact," Officer John Lacy with Overland Park Police said.
OPPD and other departments also use Nextdoor, a social network for neighborhoods.
Users type in their addresses and must prove they live there. Then they'll be connected with other people who live in the area.
People can post about lost keys, a lost pet, a yard sale, or advertise a lawn mower up for sale.
It's a way to find out about crime on your block, too. Police departments will often use the site to post a news release.
"Sometimes I get on Nextdoor and I start reading, and people are adding to my press release. I've seen that, and I've also seen people put things out that's not true," Lacy said.
Lacy said many times Nextdoor will not help them solve a crime because it turns into a gossip forum.
He is the only officer who mans the department's social media accounts, and it is tedious combing through irrelevant information.
Lacy showed 41 Action News a recent example of how a conversation on Nextdoor can be unhelpful.
He posted a news release about a dog bite in which they're asking for the public's help in locating a dog that bit a child. The post garnered many comments, but a lot of them went on tangents about pit bulls, and one man complained about construction trucks leaving an Overland Park development.
"If you're going to comment on something, stay on topic," Lacy said.
But, police have to stay on top of it despite some of these problems because important tips come through social media every day.
"It's a way to get our message out, that's the way I see it," Lacy said.
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