West Lafayette Police Join NextDoor

Lafayette Police are also using a new social media tool that may help prevent crime, it's something Lafayette Police have had for a couple of years, and even though West Lafayette is new to the game, they say it's already been successful.

News 18s Alexis Mo burger joins us live and explains how this app may lower crime rates, Alexis West Lafayette Police are calling in a virtual citizen watch, and they say it's an opportunity for residents and police to have better communication, a recent string of robberies continues to affect West Lafayette with another crime early Wednesday morning robberies, we've had three here, in the past ten days produce had one, why you know? Which I knew, but a social media tool could help lower the crime rate, target area, specific areas to send information, so you don't have to send out everything to everybody.

Project director Cindy Marian says the next door app was adopted by west lafayette police to help neighbors communicate with police, also another tool where if you know something suspicious in your neighborhood that goes on, all the time feel free to send me that information, I'll put it out to the officers, so they are all aware of it, with the next door app neighbors can let each other know about any crimes or concerns, Marian says, so far, they've received positive feedback oftentimes, people are reluctant to report certain things to the police for fear, that maybe it has nothing to do with the actual crime itself, I think this is an outlet for some people to post some things alert some people within their own neighborhood what's going on.

Although West Lafayette has been on next door for only a short time, Marian says, they've already received information that police are investigating anything that we can do to have a relationship with community, and also have like a virtual citizens watch is a great thing with the next door app, every profile is private, not just anybody can sign up for a neighborhood unless you live in it, which gives it a little bit more control deputy.

Chief Troy here says, he's hopeful next door will bring West Lafayette neighbors closer, they're able to communicate with one another, and I think that through that communication you will have a better response rate, we'll be more in tune what's going on in our community. Marian says, although it's helpful to report any crime to next door, she says, it's important to report any concerns to police reporting live in West Lafayette.