Diego Saldana/ Staff Writer
diego.saldana@fiusm.com
The University Police Department has launched it’s own Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Launched in late February, the Twitter and Facebook pages are primarily intended as form of community outreach.
The Facebook page, Florida International University Police Department and the Twitter handle @FIUPOLICE will be primarily used to Tweet out safety tips, crime alerts, links to the University’s Victim Advocacy Center and the Emergency Management site.
FIUPD’s accounts will align with the Department of Emergency Management by sending out FIU Alerts, just the like University’s main Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Officer David Navas of the University is in charge of handling UPD’s social media accounts and says that while students can Tweet and post about their emergencies, he doesn’t recommend it, since it’s “just him for now,” handling the accounts.
Survive an active shooter situation, Have a plan! Take a moment to watch this 9 minute video created by the Los… http://t.co/d1J8ljgxyg
— FIUPolice (@FIUPOLICE) February 3, 2015
If students are in an emergency situation or need to inform the police with time sensitive information, Navas said students should defer from social media and instead call the department directly at (305) 348-2626.
But Navas won’t be getting notifications from all students.
“I just don’t really see the point of it,” said Dylan Hoyos.
The junior psychology major, who doesn’t have a Twitter, thinks email notifications do just fine.
“I don’t see how it [social media] could hurt but the notification system I feel would be the fastest way to get alerted of anything because like I personally don’t have a Twitter or anything.”
Navas will instead be getting mentions and likes from students like Cassandra Greetham.
Don’t be a target! Before leaving your car, keep this safety tip in mind! http://t.co/tUDkDjc4PF
— FIUPolice (@FIUPOLICE) February 2, 2015
“I think it’s one of the quickest ways besides the alerts that we get to our phones because people are constantly on Twitter and Instagram and stuff like that, so it’d be a really fast way.”
The Freshman recreational therapy major thinks Twitter specifically is one of the quickest and easiest ways to inform students
Navas, a four year employee of University police, said the FIUPD accounts can also be used as investigative tools should the need arise.
Navas made it clear it that the UPD will not be using their Twitter and Facebooks to ‘dig up dirt’ on students, but rather another way to ask the community for assistance. He stated locating suspects as one example.
Follow @FIUPolice for up-to-date information on safety alerts on campus and to submit tips or concerns.
— FIU (@FIU) January 30, 2015
University police consulted with Miami Dade, Miami Beach and the University of Miami Police departments in the designing of their Twitter account.
The UPD’s Facebook and Twitter accounts as of press time have less than 500 combined followers. For Navas though, it’s not a numbers game.
“It means a lot to me and to my chief, we are huge on reaching out to the community.”
Additional reporting by Junette Reyes.
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