A Central Texas Police Department is doing its best to bring citizens together so they can help keep an eye on things.
"Used to be if a neighbor had a problem or they saw something suspicious, they would talk to another neighbor or they'd talk to three or four neighbors. Unfortunately, today it's not as common to see that happen. Nextdoor provides the ability to make that comment or share that information with the neighbors without having to go knock on doors," Lt. Brian Wyers, Support Services for the Copperas Cove Police Department, said.
Nextdoor is a free, online app the Copperas Cove Police Department has joined and encourage you to do, too!
"What it basically is, is a message board system that connects groups or neighborhoods within a city and allows neighbors to communicate with one another," Wyers added.
"Copperas Cove has right now 27 neighborhoods that are affiliated with Nextdoor, and we can see specifically what the comments are in those neighborhoods and what areas of concern we need to focus on," Wyers said.
"You hear a lot of negative stuff going on in other towns around this area and people act like the police aren't doing anything... I know they're doing the best they can, but I just think it's something, another tool that they can use to help with taking care of the citizens of our town," Larry Letzer, a Copperas Cove resident who uses Nextdoor, said.
Copperas Cove Police Chief Eddie Wilson came up with the idea to bring Nextdoor to Copperas Cove. He said wants no barriers between the police department and citizens.
"He's always been big on transparency to the public, and he feels social media is the quickest way to get information out," Wyers added.
The more people who join Nextdoor, the more neighborhoods that become affiliated.
"I would have this app whether I was a police officer or not," Wyers said.
Nextdoor also allows Copperas Cove Police Department to send out messages to specific neighborhoods when necessary.
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