By JACOB LOPEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The San Benito Police Department has implemented the Nextdoor program to introduce a virtual neighborhood watch-type initiative to the community.
Nextdoor is a localized social network that lets members of the community create a login — they must confirm their address — and communicate nearby concerns with their neighbors.
Using valid addresses helps to ensure that only those within the community and within their neighborhood can use the website.
If a citizen of San Benito notices unusual behavior, such as a suspicious van circling the area, they can log into the website and share the information with their neighbors. This won’t necessarily alert the authorities, (though users can post in a manner that will alert SBPD) but it will make those who live in the area aware of the suspicious activity.
If homes within the same block are being vandalized, the people in that area can keep each other up-to-date on any happenings or unidentified subjects that arouse suspicion.
As social networks continue to grow in popularity and technology becomes a more significant part of everyday life, local citizens can begin to use the available tools to their advantage.
“We won’t be able to see it unless they [Nextdoor users] post it to alert us,” said SBPD Operations Chief Martin Morales Jr.
“Nobody’s going to go in there and be nosy and see what everybody’s talking about,” added Morales, adding “the ‘bad guy’ … will not be able to log in …” This again because of the verification process, which can involve providing a credit card (not for payments, but for confirming that the name and address are real) or having a confirmation code mailed to the user for those weary of offering their credit card information. Users can also have a confirmation code phoned in – the idea being to keep outsiders from monitoring community activity.
“That gives us an extra set of ears and eyes out there,” said Morales, explaining that some citizens are concerned with coming forth with information for fear of retaliation from the guilty parties.
The Nextdoor service was already in existence before SBPD adopted its use locally.
Those interested in registering or learning more can visit nextdoor.com or visit the Google Play Store for Android devices or the App Store for iOS devices.
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2 comments
Be a snitch for big brother, now a days your better of not involving the cops that work for a corrupt system! Informant program operating nationwide encourages Americans to anonymously turn each other in to the authorities for cash rewards in a chilling echo of the Nazi “denunciations” of 1930’s Germany, where neighbors would grass their neighbors up to the local Gestapo officer over petty issues.
And you’re probably the first guy to call the cops when you hear something go bump in the night in your yard.