Partners of the DeWitt County Sheriff Debuts on Facebook:

The DeWitt County Sheriff's Office is working to build a network of online partners to improve public safety.  By using a group created on facebook, the Sheriff's Office is hoping to reach thousands of people.  Sgt. Jered Shofner created the "Partners of DeWitt County Sheriff's Office" on facebook as a method to provide timely, and accurate information directly to the community.  Facebook users can immediately receive updates posted on the page by deputies.  Sgt. Shofner believes the system has tremendous potential " As communication methods change, we need to evolve with them.  In situations like a missing child, the facebook group will enable us to provide the child's picture to hundreds, or thousands, of people in the area within seconds. This is a perfect example of using technology to improve public safety. In this case, the techonolgy is a free website."

Absent a crisis like a missing child, the facebook page will be used to post information on unsolved crimes and other items of interest.. When the site debuted on Tuesday, users were given the opportunity to comment on new graphic designs for the sheriff's patrol cars. The squad car graphics can be seen at:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30597353&l=c070c074da&id=1398045565