Redmond police ‘like’ using Facebook to fight crime

As soon as Redmond police officers learned Tuesday a missing woman was found safe, they turned to Facebook to offer an update — it’s where they’d first posted on Sunday that Redmond resident Linda Whipple was missing.

“That one post had reached 40,000 people,” Lt. Keith Knight said Tuesday. “To me, it’s amazing.”

If you’ve “liked” their Facebook page, you’ve probably noticed the account is pretty active. Besides safety tips and community information, officers also use it to get your help, such as photos of suspects or others being sought in their “Wanted Wednesday” feature.

Since the account was created in June of 2013, Knight said the department has published 12 pictures or videos seeking public input to identify the suspects. Nine of those cases have now been solved, some within hours.

“It is my strong belief that without social media and without the community’s input, those cases wouldn’t have been solved,” Knight said.

And with one click of a button, police can open a window to new clues without ever leaving the building.

“We can do a job faster with more information,” Knight said. “You know, previously we’d have to go knock door to door, which we still do, but now we can reach out to the whole community.”

Although it’s not the typical motivation that drives most people online, in the end Facebook tends to have the same effect on Redmond police as it does for us all.

“Social media is really bridging that gap,” Knight said. “Now we are more connected to our community, not only making the posts but reading the replies and comments. It’s been very rewarding.”

Knight also said that not every image of a suspect that the department has will make it online. He said in some cases, trying to identify a criminal can hurt a case more then help it.

For example, Redmond police have for that reason chosen not to release images of the suspect or suspects who twice recently robbed a Subway restaurant at knifepoint.