Looking to better connect with city residents, the Enumclaw Police Department is now using Nextdoor.com as its social media platform.

Nextdoor.com allows law enforcement to post messages to a built-in audience. According to the EPD, Enumclaw and the surrounding area have 21 identified Nextdoor.com neighborhoods and approximately 1,019 members. The department expects the audience to grow as awareness of Nextdoor.com increases.

Neighbors use Nextdoor.com to connect with their local communities and have conversations about everything from finding a babysitter, advertising a garage sale, to learning about a rash of break-ins. Nextdoor.com was built from the ground up with the neighborhood in mind.

As a means of connecting the Enumclaw Police Department with citizens, it is noted that the EPD will be able to send important notices to everyone who is a registered follower or tailor a message to a specific neighborhood.

“We will send out crime prevention tips, advertise community events, notify residents of upcoming road closures, recruit for employment opportunities, etc.,” according to a department press release.

Two important elements about Nextdoor.com as it relates to police use: first, only residents who own or rent property within the Enumclaw city limits will be able to receive messages from the EPD; and, second, the police department is unable to view or monitor conversations between neighbors.

Nextdoor.com currently is used by neighbors across the United States and seven other countries.