DENVER — While the popular social media site Nextdoor is full of neighborhood suggestions, lost and found items, and even reports of crime, local law enforcement want people to know the latter is best shared directly with them.
The reason? It all comes down to the privacy policy of Nextdoor.
Public agencies and employees are allowed on the site, and have profiles they can use to post information. You may have even seen your local police department posting in your “neighborhood.” However, according to Nextdoor’s website, “Agencies will never see your profile or content from your neighborhood. They only see their own posts and replies to those posts.”
Last month in Aurora, police responded to anattempted child luring where two men yelled at two young girls to get in a car. When Denver7 called Aurora Police about a comment to that incident on Nextdoor of a possible second similar incident, the officer responded with the fact that they do not have access to that post.
The Castle Rock Police Department recently posted on Nextdoor to clarify what they could or could not see.
“We cannot view any content that you do not choose to directly forward to the Castle Rock Police Department. We cannot see the posts and replies that are made in your neighborhood,” they posted.
Denver Police added that not only do they not monitor social media 24/7, but that they’re also unable to dispatch officers to a location or possible crime based on social media posts or messages.
Departments agreed that the main and best way to report a crime is still to call (or text) police directly.
They say that while social sites like Nextdoor or Facebook are good for notifying your neighbors or friends about things going on, if you want or need law enforcement, the best way is to call (or text) 911.
