PEABODY — The Peabody police are undeniably online.
The department has Facebook and Twitter pages and, within the past two years, has launched an anonymous Web and text-message tip program and a text and e-mail community alert system. This week, the department's online presence was further enhanced with the unveiling of a redesigned website at www.peabodypolice.org.
"Our original website was launched in 1999. It was time to redesign it and make some much-needed additions," Chief Robert Champagne said in a press release.
"This updated website will help us fight crime by giving our citizens new tools and offering more ways to communicate with us."
The new site features a language translator option at the top of the page, which allows a visitor to view the site in whatever tongue he or she is most comfortable.
Visitors to the site will be able to sign up for e-mail and test alerts. The site also has a new online reporting tool that will allow the public to file certain incident reports — which will include but not be limited to harassing phone calls, hit-and-runs, identity theft, lost property and vandalism — over the Internet at their convenience.
"We expect this reporting system will become popular with citizens who utilize the Web and appreciate the convenience of making a report from their home or office," Sgt. Glen Fredericks said in the release.
Such reports will be reviewed by Peabody police personnel and, once approved, the citizen will receive an e-mail with a copy of the report. The report will then transfer into the Peabody police records management system and follow the same protocol as a report filed by an officer.
The online reporting service is not intended to replace a response by an officer or any other current services, according to police.
"If someone prefers a police officer to respond, it will continue to be the policy of the Peabody Police Department to dispatch an officer," Fredericks said.
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