Jonathon Liedtke – ourWindsor.ca – May 27, 2013
The Windsor Police Service has a new website which runs on the same template as the official City of Windsor website, bringing consistency across municipal electronic platforms.
The website has a new section titled “Wanted in Windsor” in which the Windsor Police Service posts information about persons who are currently wanted in Windsor or who have outstanding arrest warrants with the Windsor Police Service.
“We’re hoping for anybody who has any information to come forward,” said Sergeant Pam Mizuno of The Windsor Police Service. “People can always contact Crime Stoppers anonymously or they can contact Windsor Police Service directly.”
On Friday, The Windsor Police Service posted on their official Facebook account that upon seeing himself on the “Wanted in Windsor” section, a suspect had turned himself in.
“Within 24hrs of the launch of new WPS website, one person turned himself in after seeing himself featured on the Wanted in Windsor page ^PM”, read a post from the Windsor Police Service Facebook on May 24.
“The new website has a new look and a new feel – it’s a little bit easier to navigate,” explained Mizuno.
According to Mizuno, reaction to the new website has been “very positive” and at one point the frequency of visits to the website went up by 900%, which caused the server to crash due to the increased activity.
“It’s a good thing,” joked Mizuno regarding the crashed server. “Good news, increased activity; bad news, we crashed the server. It’s up and running and has been all weekend.”
“I am in awe of the new website!” said Melanie Anne on the Windsor Police Service’s Facebook page. “Clearly you have changed your image from the inside and out because that is one CLASSY website and kudos to whomever designed it! WPS should be proud!”
Carried over from the old website is a section which allows users to report a crime online. While it cannot be used to report emergency situations, users are able to report a variety of crimes like lost and stolen plates, property damage, lost property, theft from vehicle, theft, and damage to vehicle. Users can report crimes in six different languages.
The Windsor Police Service has embraced the use of social media and regularly uses Twitter and Facebook to communicate important information to residents of the City of Windsor.
In addition to posting traffic updates, ongoing situations and community pertinent events, the Windsor Police Service publishes a daily news report and shares it via social media. The daily news report outlines the major activities of the Windsor Police Service for the 24 hour period prior.
“It’s helping us to engage with the community, that’s one of the biggest benefits,” said Mizuno regarding social media. “Keep[ing] up to date, to communicate, a little bit of two way communication as well.”
Windsor Police Service launch new website and suspect uses it to turn self in
Jonathon Liedtke is the Features & Opinion Editor for the University of Windsor Lance Campus/Community Newspaper and a reporter for ourWindsor.ca. As a founding member and current Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, he is committed to representing, connecting, engaging with and advocating for local youth. He is also a member of Windsor’s “Punk with Horns” band The Nefidovs, and as such, is committed to enhancing and sustaining the arts community.
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