With real-time news reports being readily available to the public via Twitter, communities around the US have utilized Twitter and blogs to organize crime-prevention.
The telephone tree first moved to electronic mailing lists and online message-based forums, but with the instant Twitter updates that are available via text messages, the instant response of this more recent form of communication allows for quicker police reaction.
Quotes taken from the recent Neighborhood Tweet-Watch phenomenon by Huffington Post claims that in one neighborhood, "four years ago, [...] the crack of gunshots could be heard frequently in the neighborhood of brick homes with front porches on the outskirts of a crime-ridden part of Columbus, but now the streets are quieter, and crime mostly amounts to break-ins."
The National Sherrifs’ Association keeps a registration of the number of block watch groups in its website amounting to about 20,000 groups which is said to be four times the amount that was registered four years ago.
Technological advancements utilized by these communities will allow for better coordination and communication with members of the local law enforcement, and hopefully even more watchful citizens will be using their Twitter updates for the powers of good instead of evil.
Twitter 911
Neighborhood Tweet-Watch Allows Instant Emergency Responses
Trend Themes
1. Real-time News - Opportunity for businesses to provide real-time news updates via Twitter to enhance communication and engagement with the public.
2. Community Organization - Businesses can develop platforms or tools that facilitate community organization for crime prevention and other social initiatives.
3. Instant Communication - Opportunity to create innovative communication tools that leverage instant updates and text messages for quicker emergency responses.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - Social media platforms can explore features to support neighborhood watch groups and community engagement.
2. Security - Security companies can develop solutions that integrate with Twitter and other platforms to enhance crime prevention and emergency response.
3. Law Enforcement - Law enforcement agencies can leverage Twitter and real-time updates for better coordination and communication with the community.