By MICHELLE HERBISON
GEELONG’s Eyewatch Facebook page attracted about 40 per cent of total “likes” across the state during a pilot program of the Neighbourhood Watch initiative, according to police.
Community liaison officer and Geelong Eyewatch administrator Leading Senior Constable Andrew King said the page had gained about 3500 “likes” since it started last February.
“The number of people we have looking at the page is phenomenal. For instance, 89,508 people were reached by our page in the week between March 22 and 28.
“If I send something on my page and you share it, suddenly all your friends see it.”
Sen Const King said Eyewatch aimed to modernise the Neighbourhood Watch initiative while encouraging communication between police and the community.
“I often get praised for the fact we’re telling the community more than we ever have before.”
The trial attracted about 8000 total “likes” across Brimbank, Yarra Ranges, Hobsons Bay, Darebin, Transit Police and Geelong.
Snr Const King said information received through Eyewatch had proved valuable to police.
“We get a lot of feedback and names through the site or to Crimestoppers. We’ve certainly made arrests as a result,” he said.
“On March 28 a fellow on Vines Rd exposed himself to some girls and we had 62,877 people viewing that post. Of that, 980 people shared it.”
Snr Cont King said he posted at least three messages to the page daily.
“I’m on this every day. It’s one of the first things I do,” he said.
“Not only can people make comments but they can ask questions and I can reply to them.”
Snr Const King included on the page appeals to the public for information, updates from crime bulletins and stories about police officers’ good work, he said.
“When I put the posts up about the good work that coppers do they get the most views and likes.”
Snr Const King encouraged the community to “like” the page to keep informed and become “extra eyes and ears”.
Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch last week expanded the program to include Wyndham, Maribyrnong, Hume, Melbourne West, Stonnington, Casey, Frankston, La Trobe, Boroondara, Bendigo and Mildura.
