IMPD joins Nextdoor district-wide after successful pilot run
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — More people across Indianapolis will be working hand-in-hand with police through social media.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is hoping to keep more people updated on crime and events in the community. IMPD is now using a private social networking service for neighborhoods.
The partnership with Nextdoor started last year as part of a pilot run. IMPD wanted to see how residents would respond and since then, it had great success. The department is hoping for the same outcome city-wide.
“Anytime someone does see something suspicious, they also bring that up so it’s not only just about the thefts that occurred, but it’s also about someone saying, ‘hey, watch out,’” said Katherine Kidd, a Nextdoor user.
Kidd is a member of the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood on Nextdoor. She moved into her home almost six years ago.
“We really are working together as a community and people have each others back’s here and that’s a very good thing,” she said.
Her neighborhood is part of IMPD’s North District. It’s one of three districts that took part in a pilot run with Nextdoor last year.
Police have been sharing information, like crime alerts and community events with residents, who are registered on the site.
“People are getting more involved daily and as they should,” she said. “I think this is a marriage and a partnership that should occur in all communities.”
A growing number of police departments are using the tool to stay connected with residents. This new partnership is going to allow IMPD to share across six districts.
“I think the more information we share with police the more information they share with us the safer we’ll be,” said Jonathan Whitham.
Jonathan Whitham said he became really involved with Nextdoor after a close call at his house.
“We had someone who was look like casting the houses on our street came up and look in the back window,” he said.
Whitham shared surveillance photos of the would-be intruder to warn other neighbors. Even getting officers in the north district involved.
“Social media most people use it now and it’s a great tool we need to use every tool we got to fight the crime,” he said.
An IMPD spokesperson said they haven’t really received any direct information for crimes that has led to an arrest just yet.
Click here if you would like to register with Nextdoor.