Howard County Police Department Goes Online

The Howard County Police launched a Facebook page with the hope of doing more than make friends—although they've already racked up more than 400 "likes."

On the page, residents can find useful information about local crime, arrests and programs sponsored by the department, such as a high school poster contest promoting awareness of domestic violence.

If things work the way Police Chief William McMahon has seen in other jurisdictions, the department’s Facebook page will also help the police to solve crimes. In Richmond, Va., for instance, he’s seen the police department post surveillance photos up to help identify criminals.

“When you have missing kids, 16-year-old runaways, we try to use the technology in those situations,” he added. Officers get special training to help them use the Internet efficiently, as when they found an Ellicott City teenager living in South Carolina with a 22-year-old man she described as her boyfriend.

“Young kids and gang members don't read the newspaper” so they may not know police are looking for them, said Lt. Michelle Denton, “but they do have Facebook accounts,” a tool that helps them get found.