Law enforcement turning to social media

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - More law enforcement agencies are turning to social media to provide timely information to the public.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety recently used its Facebook page to alert people to a training exercise at the Monticello nuclear power plant. And, St. Paul police released photos and surveillance video on Twitter to help catch the people who broke into the Como Park Zoo this month.

A survey of 728 agencies by the International Association of Chiefs of Police found 81 percent of use social media. The association suggests its use for finding missing people, soliciting crime tips and for notifying the public about road closures, among other things.

The Anoka County Sheriff's Department started using social media this summer. Cmdr. Paul Sommer tells the Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/oxase3) they could "jump on board or be left behind."

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