For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Methuen Police Department to Utilize Social Media During National Preparedness Month

METHUEN – Mayor Steve Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce the launch of the Methuen Police Department’s second annual social media campaign for the 2016 National Preparedness Month this September.

National Preparedness Month is meant to educate communities on planning, staying safe, and communicating during disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

The department is highlighting the idea of being proactive through daily posts on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Each week will feature a different theme including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and power outages with helpful articles, public service announcements, checklists, and other resources to educate the public on how to stay safe during an emergency that affects their community. They are also in the process of developing boards on Pinterest, which will feature visual elements such as graphics, checklists, and flyers.

“The Methuen Police Department strives to use social media as both a way to relay information and also connect with our community,” Chief Solomon said. “Our social media following has grown considerably over the years, and we encourage residents to utilize the numerous resources we have available online.”

Methuen is no stranger emergency preparedness and the value of properly utilizing social media in the event of an emergency situation. During hurricane season and especially during the winter months, the city has experienced strong storms that have triggered numerous emergency situations.

In the event of an emergency, employees from the police station and the city set up and run an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where they set up designated phone lines for calls coming in to report power lines or trees that are down, and other important safety messages. The team is also responsible for monitoring social media as a way to communicate with residents.

“The Methuen Police Department has utilized social media in a way that’s effective not only for the residents, but also for the town’s daily operations,” Mayor Zanni said. “I am proud to support the department in their efforts and encourage the community to follow their posts online.”

Along with Chief Solomon, Officers Licata and Scanlon are managing the department’s second annual formal social media campaign. Their daily posts are leading up to National PreparAthon! Day on Sept. 30, which culminates National Preparedness Month. The department plans to create a Facebook event for this day, which will contain all of the information they have posted throughout the month in one place

The Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page currently has 11,532 likes and they have 8,197 followers on Twitter. Chief Solomon and his team are heavily involved in social media, encouraging his police force to utilize social media as a means of communication with the Methuen community. Many of the officers even have their own Twitter handle.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov and the Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter @MethuenPolice.

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