Plano Police utilize social media to track down city’s most wanted

You can follow the department on both Facebook and Twitter.

PLANO — The Plano Police Department is turning to the public in its quest to track down some of the city's most wanted criminals.

Through its Facebook page, the department is posting new wanted information each Monday morning, said Public Information Officer David Tilley.

The department has stepped up its social media presence in the last six months, launching both a Facebook page and a Twitter account. The information on wanted suspects seemed to be something that fit naturally on the page, Tilley said.

"I am going to focus our social media on what benefits our citizens," he said. "It is easier to post information on Facebook than on the department website. Facebook and Twitter are good avenues to get the public basic information since they can get instant notifications. If they want more detailed information on our department they can always go to our web page."

Since its September launch, the department's Facebook page has received more than 1,500 likes. However, some posts have "gone viral" and received tens of thousands of page views. The March 8 Plano Most Wanted posting, for instance, was seen by more than 27,000 people, Tilley said.

Posting information on wanted suspects is not the only use the department has for its Facebook page, Tilley said. Each Friday, a post is made to discourage people from driving drunk, and periodic posts are also made to highlight services offered by the department and to showcase members of the department.

"I want to let the people know who works here," Tilley said. "There are so many interesting things about our employees and the things they have done in the past. We want to let people get to know them."

This week's most wanted suspects are two men who robbed a woman in the 1800 block of Preston Road. The men stole the victim's purse while she was loading the trunk of her car. The suspects were caught on video using the suspect's credit cards, and Tilley said he hopes by posting the video online someone will recognize the suspects and give police the tip they need to make an arrest.

Visit facebook.com/PlanoTexasPoliceDepartment to see the Plano PD Facebook page or @PlanoPoliceDept to follow them on Twitter.

FYI: To contact investigators about the identity of any of Plano's Most Wanted, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-8477 or the Plano Police Department at 972-941-2148. For additional information on wanted suspects in Plano, visit plano.gov/index.aspx?NID=891.