Louisville Metro partners with Nextdoor social network
LMPD already using to enhance police-neighborhood communications
LOUISVILLE (July 19, 2016) – Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Louisville is joining cities around the country in partnering with Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com), the private social network for neighborhoods that is designed to improve city-wide and neighbor-to-neighbor communications.
Louisville Metro Police have been using Nextdoor since April to convey targeted information to residents of hundreds of neighborhoods that have signed up for the free service. For example, after a series of car break-ins in the Highlands, LMPD was able to use Nextdoor to advise of an arrest with a message just to residents signed up in that neighborhood.
Now, all of Louisville Metro Government, including the Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works, the Fire Department and LMPD will use Nextdoor to build stronger, safer communities, working with neighbors to increase safety and strengthen a virtual neighborhood watch.
“Louisville is an innovative and resourceful city. Joining Nextdoor is another way to further our efforts in making Louisville an even better place to live,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Giving residents more avenues to easily and effectively connect with city departments, and each other, about the things that matter most to their communities will create a safer, stronger Louisville.”
With Nextdoor, residents can create private neighborhood websites to share information, including neighborhood public safety issues, community events and activities, local services, and even lost pets.
Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor website; all members must verify they live within the neighborhood before joining. Information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by Google or other search engines. Police and city officials cannot access residents’ contact information or content, but can share targeted messages.
“We have always invested in innovative ways to increase safety for our residents,” said Police Chief Steve Conrad. “With Nextdoor, we can help empower neighbors to keep their communities safe and connected and give them the ability to collaborate on virtual neighborhood watch efforts.”
Those interested in joining their neighborhood’s Nextdoor website can visit www.nextdoor.com and enter their address. If residents have questions about their Nextdoor website, they should visit help.nextdoor.com.
