By Brian Golden

Sun Staff Writer

bgolden@evesun.com

NORWICH – With technological advances such as cell phones, computers, tablets and other devices making it easier and more convenient for people the world over to communicate in an instant, it should come as no surprise that law enforcement agencies on every level are turning more and more to social media such as Facebook and Twitter to investigate leads, share information and stay in contact with the communities they serve.

The Norwich City Police Department, for instance, has had its own Facebook page since August of 2010, collecting 4,844 friends over the past two years. And the city’s Emergency Management Office, headed up by officer A. Jones, regularly uses Twitter (559 followers) to update city and county residents on inclement weather, traffic delays and other emergencies. It’s a trend that’s more common sense than anything else, said Norwich City Police Chief Joseph Angelino.

“Everybody has some sort of electronic, hand-held device today and we’re just scratching the surface of technology,” added Angelino. “We can get our message out very quickly, to a large audience, who can pass it on by sharing.”