Sheriff's Office warms to Facebook, Twitter

Saturday, March 19, 2011
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER -- The Barrow County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for more friends. And followers.

In an effort to further transparency and relay pressing information to the general populace, the Sheriff's Office has joined social media phenomena Facebook and Twitter.

But don't expect gripping, personal details or adorable baby albums.

The Sheriff's Office will go the more utilitarian route, issuing via the sites information like crime alerts, road closures, traffic delays, special events and other useful information for the Barrow citizenry, said department spokesman Maj. Todd Druse.

"This technology is available to us totally free of charge," said Sheriff Jud Smith. "We encourage Barrow County residents and business owners to check our site frequently."

In the department's first week on Facebook, residents latched onto information about road closures, weather bulletins, and the popular "Open Range" dates, in which residents are invited to the department's firearms complex.

"Citizens have a right to know what's going on with their Sheriff's Office," Smith said. "Social media like Facebook and Twitter help us to achieve ... transparency."

Here's how to keep up to speed with Sheriff's Office happenings:a

Log into facebook.com and enter "Barrow County Sheriff's Office" in the search bar. Twitter users can access the department's account via twitter.com. Once there, type "BarrowSheriff" in the search bar.

Gwinnett Daily Post