by Bryan Baker for the FCT

The city of Russellville is planning on broadcasting widespread information across social media platforms.  Officials plan on reaching more people in the community with new forms of communication methods.

The website for the city of Russellville’s Police Department will be staying the same, but the information will be pulled from several different areas.  Each branch of city government will be allowed to update their own information that will be linked to the website.

“We are hoping to better reach the people who are not in front of their TV’s,” Captain Mike Prince of the Russellville Police Department said.  “We hope to help people get their information through their smartphones.”

Russellville Police Department has been active on Facebook for several months now.  Prince hopes to broaden their followers by maintaining steady activity on their social media platforms.

The overall goal is to better communicate with those within the community.  Prince feels that more platforms to distribute information will reach more of those involved in Franklin County.

“The more we have going out the better,” Prince said.  “We hope to let people know all events from church gatherings to school closings.”

Each branch of the city government will be in charge of updating their own information that is linked to the website daily.  Prince feels as if the community can use the city’s police department’s website as a hub for information.

The website will be linked to both Facebook and Twitter.  Whatever is updated to the website will also be available through social media.  Prince feels like technological advancements have lead to a change of how people are informed.

The information that will be broadcast over these new platforms will be quick and easy for followers to access, Prince said.  The website will be accessible through all smartphones and will not require an application for use.

Last month, there were a multitude of different school closings through out the month.  Prince hopes to better prepare and inform the community of closings, as well as delays, through the RPD’s social media platforms.

“People at work will have a better way to stay informed through out the day,” Prince said. “It’s a lot more efficient.”

Citizens will also be able to access City Council meetings almost as quick as they happen.  Prince stated that the community would be granted access to all meeting content as it becomes public records. Live updates could be posted to the website as the meetings are still in progress.

“We’ve got a good start on our followers,” Prince said.  “Some publicity through Facebook and the newspaper should really get us where we need to be.”

To check out the Russellville Police Department go to www.RussellvillePD.org.  The website provides a link to the Facebook, as well as the Twitter accounts for users to follow.