Police to Begin Using Nextdoor.com

The Portsmouth Police Department has just started a partnership with Nextdoor.com, a social networking site that is attempting to connect people in neighborhoods across the country, in an effort to improve safety, improve communication, and building community.

In a press notice by Chief Stephen J. DuBois, he stated that he hoped the use of the site would enable to the department to communicate with neighborhoods that are already utilizing the site.

“Residents and police will be able to work together to improve safety and strengthen neighborhood watch efforts,” he said. “With Nextdoor, Portsmouth residents can join private neighborhood websites to share information, including neighborhood public safety issues, community events and activities, local services, and even lost pets. The Portsmouth Police Department will be able to post information, such as safety tips and crime alerts, to Nextdoor websites within the city.”

Like most social networking sites, using Nextdoor.com is free of charge. Each neighborhood has its own site and it is accessible only to residents who verify that they live in that neighborhood and the residents who live in the neighborhoods self-manage the sites.

“The police department will not be able to access residents’ websites, contact information, or content,” DuBois noted. “Information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by search engines.”

Anyone interested in starting a neighborhood site or joining one that has already started, visit nextdoor.com and enter your address.

DuBois is asking anyone who is interested in speaking with police about the program, reach out to Detective Duane Jacques, who is the head of the Problem Oriented Policing initiatives, at 603-610-7535 of djacques@cityofportsmouth.com.