Community facebook groups turn into face-to-face interactions with Richland residents, police

Back in March, the Richland Police Department established a number of social media groups for residents in different zones of the city to communicate with their neighbors-- and law enforcement-- about issues and concerns.

There are about 1,900 residents taking part in the groups.

"They seem to be growing daily," says Cerise Peck, Crime Prevention Specialist with the Richland Police Department. "Great interactions between neighbors, information sharing between us and them, and they've been able to provide us with information that has helped with a couple of cases."

She says in one case, concerns in one neighborhood led to a face-to-face round table discussion to work through some possible solutions.

Now, the agency is scheduling CAP pop-ups, short informal meetings that bring together key personnel from the police department, so residents can meet officers and other staff.

"The district officer from that area made himself available for an hour, and we invited people that live in that area to come talk to us face-to-face, get to know their district officer," Peck said. "I was there, we had a code enforcement officer there, and Chief Bruce was there to introduce himself to the community."

Peck says they plan to hold more pop-up events in the near future.

You can find out more about the CAP groups by visiting the City of Richland website, or the groups link on the Richland Police Department facebook page.

Listen to Cerise Peck's conversation with Jenna Kochenauer about the community groups: