How Pinterest Can Help Fight Crime?
Social networks, part of our daily lives can be used for various activities. Leisure, networking, finding useful and handy information.
And one of the very recent social networks – Pinterest, known best for nail art, cupcakes, wedding ideas and motivational posters with bad typography has become quite a success for local law enforcement. How?
There was a slight controversy last year when the Portland Police Department posted photos of arrested Occupy protestors to Facebook. Maybe the inspiration was found there and Pottstown, Pennsylvania newspaper The Pottstown Mercury has begun sharing photographs of wanted individuals through Pinterest.
Almost 800 citizen Pinners currently follow the board, and as you may noticed on the board they are invited to provide the newspaper and police departments with information on where the individuals are.
This is an album of persons wanted by local police departments for various offenses. All information and mug shots have been provided by law enforcement officials. Any questions or concerns regarding the content of this board should be made to Brandie Kessler ([email protected]), Eileen Faust ([email protected]) and/or Diane Hoffman ([email protected]).
And the results? Readers have already commented on a few photos with some tips about suspects. According to an interview with police in the Pottstown Mercury, the project has resulted in a 58% increase in arrests. That’s what I call a “happy pinning!”
What’s your opinion, is it OK to use social networks to help find criminals? Can it work worldwide as well or has only a local effect?
Sources: Petapixel.com; Poynter.com