IFPD using NextDoor social media app to engage with the public
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IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Falls Police Department will soon be implementing a new platform to provide specific, targeted communication with Idaho Falls communities.
The method is called NextDoor.
During a state of the cities address in Idaho Falls Tuesday, Mayor Rebecca Casper described NextDoor as a neighborhood watch program.
“If you live in Idaho Falls and haven’t downloaded the NextDoor App, you may want to,” Casper said. “Our police department will soon be engaging via that app with local residents.”
The app is available to download for free through the Google play store or the Apple app store.
The social media app allows police to communicate with specific neighborhoods where something is happening, and target their communication exclusively to that area. Through the app, people can also communicate with each other, just like they can on any other social media platform.
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With NextDoor, the police department can send urgent alerts, emergency notifications and other information to specific Nextdoor neighborhoods within Idaho Falls.
Members of the community can join or create private neighborhood websites to share information related to IFPD alerts, or communicate about anything they want in a private, secure space.
“Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor website and the Idaho Falls Police will not be able to access residents’ websites, contact information or content,” states a department news release about the app.
Members have to verify they live within a certain neighborhood before they join. The information is password protected and cannot be accessed by Google or other search engines.
There are more than 2,300 people in the greater Idaho Falls area currently using NextDoor.
“This app is something that neighbors are already using to communicate,” IFPD spokeswoman Holly Cook tells EastIdahoNews.com. “There’s a lot of information we put out that doesn’t necessarily apply to everybody. We want to be able to give safety alerts for your neighborhood. This is a great way to get more information.”
The police department is also active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Logan McDougall, Pocatello’s public information officer says the Pocatello Police Department is already using NextDoor in addition to the other social media platforms.