Facebook helps Cleveland police solve crimes
Deep inside Cleveland Police headquarter, investigators use every tool available to solve crimes. One of their most valued tool has been the department’s Facebook page.
"I definitely think it has become one of our biggest tools," said Cleveland Police Spokesperson Officer Evie West.
Cleveland Police recently used Facebook to nab Marlan McCroskey, 26. The department posted surveillance photos of a suspect who committed armed robbery inside a Zaxby’s restaurant back on November 20.
"Within 10 minutes, we had the first person writing on our inbox which is a private messaging system to tell us who the person was; where he was and information about his family," West said.
Many other Facebook followers also identified McCroskey as the man seen in the surveillance photos. McCroskey is now facing one count of aggravated robbery.
Officer Evie West told News 12 they created the Facebook page last spring as a public relations move to spotlight positive things about the department. But the page has slowly evolved into place where the department not only shows the public a lighter side of its officers, but also a place where pictures of wanted suspects are posted.
"And since we’ve been doing that, every single person we put up there, we have positively identified from tips from our Facebook followers," West said.
The Cleveland Police Facebook page has become so popular that followers are actually posting messages with pictures about crimes the police may not have known about.
"They’ll even tell us hey, this person has as warrant for his arrest. He’s at this apartment at this place," West said.
Police believe Facebook is making it easier for people to report tips because it’s less personal than talking on the phone or driving to the police station.
The department also has Twitter account but the majority of tips come in on Facebook. West said Facebook allows followers the opportunity to post more pictures and give lengthy information about a suspect or crime.
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