Hubbard police use Facebook, Twitter to solve crimes

July 28, 2012 at 12:03a.m.

By Danny Restivo

HUBBARD

The advent of social media is having a positive impact on local police efforts to fight crime.

Hubbard city police have credited social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, for helping solve two different crimes within a two-week span.

“It’s a lot of help for a small department like us,” said Sgt. Howard Haynie, who helps monitor the department’s Facebook and Twitter pages. He said by utilizing the websites, their office has received some important information from the public.

“We’re trying to bring people together, and we’ve been blessed so far,” said Haynie.

On Wednesday, Haynie said Facebook helped police charge Allen W. Lunt II, 20, of Seifert Road, with criminal damaging. According to reports, maintenance workers informed police of recent damages at Harding Park. Police investigated the scene and found a torn tarp and broken concrete bricks that were used to cover a large mound of dirt. Police took pictures of the scene including tire marks that were found on top of the mound. A few days later, the police were told about pictures on Facebook that showed an SUV driving over the reported damage. Police identified Lunt as the driver, before he was asked to come to the police station where he was charged with the crime.

The incident comes a week after police arrested Jeremy Dunlap, 26, of Farrell, Pa. Police said Dunlap robbed a local Walgreens on July 13 and a Rite Aid on July 14. Haynie said the department posted the surveillance photos of Dunlap on July 15, and in less than 12 hours the department had a name and a suspect. The information from Facebook and Twitter, lead to Dunlap’s arrest on July 17.

“We’ve received a lot of help ” said Haynie.

He said the department started using Facebook and Twitter in January, but they didn’t know how people would react. Now Haynie believes the tool is a force multiplier that allows residents to better share information with police.

“It’s a good way to engage the public and its creates transparency for our department,” he said.