REDMOND, OR -- Eighteen months after launching their Facebook page, staff at the Redmond Police Department are praising the community’s involvement in helping to close dozens of cases. The department has rolled out several regular features, including “Wanted Wednesdays,” where they post photos and information about people with outstanding warrants and ties to Redmond. Of the 28 Wanted Wednesday subjects, so far 22 have been arrested, thanks to social media tips.

Captain Brian McNaughton tells KBND the program is about reaching citizens where they are. "That’s the way that communication happens nowadays. Things are changing, and technology changes, and it’s up to us to stay up to date with that and use it. We started using Facebook, and ever since have been wildly successful getting information out and getting information from citizens, and increasing and improving our communication."

Captain McNaughton says, "We’ll have video from a store or from a parking lot, or something that shows a picture of a car or a suspect, and citizens see that on the Facebook page and call in and tell us who it is. Sometimes they identify themselves and sometimes they don’t. And, they don’t have to identify themselves if they don’t wish to. They can just leave a tip."

He says Redmond PD is the first local law enforcement agency to engage the public across social media, but others aren’t far behind. "I think they have started to. I think they have seen how successful we are at it, and are starting to do so, also."