The Mt. Laurel Police Department is taking their place on the Internet.
Recently, the department unveiled a fresh website design as well as a brand new Facebook page.
All of the resources and links were transferred from the previous design, which was in place since 2010 and ended the era of a dated website, said Chief of Police Dennis Cribben.
“It just looks more modern,” he said.
The Facebook page, which is connected directly to a Twitter account, is intended to be a resource to the township.
More than 500 residents have already followed the page.
“The more residents we could get to like that,” Cribben said, “That’s a great way for them to get information.”
Updating their web presence is in line with area law enforcement agencies.
“It’s what the trend is with local law enforcement these days,” he said, citing the Evesham Police Department as a good model.
In the Facebook’s infancy, photographs and releases to the public sprawl down the timeline.
A post on Sept. 27 presented the news that one of Mt. Laurel’s own is the first in Burlington County to deploy a Taser.
“Sergeant Corey Jones is the first police officer in Burlington County to deploy a Taser,” the post reads. “The Taser is a new tool for New Jersey law enforcement and will give officers the opportunity to resolve a confrontation without it escalating to a level where deadly force is required. Additional Mount Laurel Police Officers will deploy the Taser as they receive training in the upcoming months.”
Lt. Daniel Howard’s recent retirement from the force was the first in the retirements photo album. Howard received an award of recognition from township council for his 25 years of service to the community.
His retirement was effective as of Oct. 1.
Press releases, which are compiled several times each week on the department’s website, are linked to the Facebook page. The releases make Mt. Laurel crime public, from shoplifters to thefts to those who drive while intoxicated.
The department wants feedback from the community, too, and provides facebook@mountlaurelpd.org as the resource for submitting comments and tips.
“That’s an easy way for people to email us,” Cribben said. “We’re just hoping to get as many township residents and business goers in the Mt. Laurel community to like our Facebook page.”
Comments on the page are allowed, but are moderated, and anything posted that has inappropriate content has and will be promptly deleted, he said.
“It’ll help us better serve the community,” Cribben said.
Head to the web
Curious who was pulled over for drinking and driving over the weekend or how many goods, in dollars, were shoplifted from a local store? The press release button, to the right on the website, www.mountlaurelpd.org, is a key source for that information. In addition, the new design displays tabs at the top of the screen. Check in on community safety initiatives and other department resources.
Follow the Mt. Laurel Police Department’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mountlaurelpd and see twitter updates by heading tohttps://twitter.com/mtlaurelpd.
