Social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter have redeeming qualities local law enforcement agencies said can and have benefitted them countless times over the last several years.
However, those same outlets could create unnecessary hurdles, too.
Last month, Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes held a community meeting to address concerns of criminal activity in northern Monroe neighborhoods.
One incident mentioned at the meeting was when a man on Tower Drive reportedly asked a woman to borrow her phone. Holmes said the man allegedly then struck the woman in the head with a hammer after she refused.
Shortly after the incident, some area residents began posting on forums, such as the Facebook page of the Garden District Neighborhood Alliance, alleging other incidents.
One such post, made on Dec. 16, stated, “Another mugging on McKeen and a car was shot up at a church on Loop this weekend.”
However, police said they looked into the supposed shooting and found it to be a rumor.
Sgt. Jeff Gilbert, with Monroe Police, said regulating posts on Facebook does not fall under the jurisdiction of most police departments.
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