SAPD Partners with Nextdoor To Create Online Neighbor Network

SAN ANGELO, TX – Nextdoor is a free social network that allows residents to be in contact in their own neighborhood. As a result of the recent partnership with the San Angelo Police Department, people can come together and build a stronger relationship with the police department.

Acting as a virtual neighborhood watch program, Nextdoor allows residents of neighborhoods to be in constant contact with one another and help their communities be safer. Residents can join the Nextdoor-SAPD, which will also allow them to be more in contact with the police department. Nextdoor sites are already in place for nearly 25 neighborhoods that represent a 58 percent of the city. The Nextdoor-SAPD partnership will be launching tomorrow, Feb. 15.

“San Angelo is an innovative and resourceful city, and joining Nextdoor is another way to further our efforts in making San Angelo an even better place to live,” Chief Carter said. “With Nextdoor, we can help empower neighbors to keep their communities safe and connected and give them the ability to collaborate on virtual neighborhood watch efforts.”

On the site, residents can share information, events and even post pet flyers. The information that is posted, however, will only be available to the registered members of that specific neighborhood, and they must verify they are members of the neighborhood before they can join. All the information is password protected and cannot be accessed by Google or other search engines.

The Police Department will be able to post information, such as important news, services, programs, free events, and emergency notifications to Nextdoor websites within the city. Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor website and the Police Department will not be able to access residents’ websites, contact information, or content.

The Nextdoor program will also allow SAPD to phase out its Facebook Blue Watch Program, which served to facilitate direct communication with citizens and their respective Sector Liaison Officers. Since the Sector Liaison Officers Unit was dissolved last year, the Facebook initiative can no longer be kept active. Members will be notified in the coming weeks.

“This partnership with Nextdoor gives neighbors an easy way to not only get to know [one another], but develop stronger relationships with their local police department,” said Chief Carter. “We encourage San Angelo residents to join us on Nextdoor so together we can build stronger and safer neighborhoods.”

Residents interested in joining the Nextdoor site associated with their neighborhoods can visit nextdoor.com and enter their address.