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Criminals Beware: Social Media Is Becoming A Powerful Crime-Fighting Tool

In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in daily life, social media platforms have become invaluable tools for law enforcement. Increasingly, police departments and sheriff's offices are leveraging these platforms to solve crimes, identify suspects, and engage with the public. A recent post by the Omaha Police Officers Association (OPOA) highlights this growing trend. The post shows an unidentified woman stealing a dinosaur-shaped inflatable with a Santa hat and stuffing it into a car, demonstrating how law enforcement is using social media to track down criminals.



Video of inflatable theft from OPOA via Facebook


Why are social media posts like this crucial for the OPOA and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO)? To understand more, we spoke with OPOA President Patrick Dempsey and Sheriff Aaron Hanson.


Note: The OPOA is the union representing Omaha Police officers, and their comments should not be taken as an official statement from the Omaha Police Department.


Staffing Shortages Impacting Arrests

Dempsey shared the latest statistics for the third quarter of 2024, revealing a significant decrease in arrests for property-related crimes compared to the previous year. Burglaries have dropped by 50%, motor vehicle theft arrests are down by 15%, fraud-related arrests have fallen by 18%, and weapons-related arrests are down by 20%. However, despite this decline in arrests, calls reporting these crimes have remained steady. This data is located on the OPD website and available to the public.


Omaha Police Officers Association President Patrick Dempsey Courtesy of OPOA

While arrests have declined, the number of reported incidents has also decreased. However, the number of daily 911 calls has remained unchanged, averaging over 800 calls per day. In other words, despite fewer arrests and a drop in the number of incidents, the demand for police service remains constant.


Dempsey attributes these trends to the ongoing staffing crisis at the Omaha Police Department. “Our officers are doing everything possible to stay afloat,” Dempsey said, explaining that the OPOA is doing their part and using all available resources to address lower-priority crimes like thefts in order to assist our hard working officers who are trying their best to manage difficult caseloads.


“We will continue to utilize all available platforms to raise awareness, promote prevention efforts, and hold offenders accountable,” Dempsey added. “As technology evolves, so too does its application to law enforcement, offering us a unique opportunity to create a safer community.”


Sheriff Hanson’s Focus on Community Safety

Sheriff Aaron Hanson echoed these sentiments, stressing that crime—no matter how small—affects the quality of life in Douglas County. From aggressive driving, which kills more people in the county than murder, to porch piracy and repeat offenders, Hanson emphasized that every crime matters to the citizens of the county.



Sheriff Aaron Hanson Courtesy of DCSO

DCSO has restructured its operations to address these challenges effectively. The Community Action Team (CAT) supplements road patrols by responding to unique traffic concerns, while the Special Operations Group (SOG) targets crime hot spots through data-driven policing. These efforts help the sheriff’s office focus on both big and small crimes, with a commitment to improving public safety.


Sheriff Hanson also highlighted the importance of using social media as a tool in this mission. “Social media has proven to be an effective tool for bringing these incidents to the public’s attention,” Hanson stated. It helps law enforcement communicate with the public and keep criminals on notice.


Without sufficient staffing, Hanson noted, DCSO could be forced to operate at “factory setting mode,” where they would only respond to radio calls with little capacity for proactive, quality-of-life problem-solving.


Victim of Theft Speaks Out: "I’m Scared to Go Out"

A recent victim of a vehicle break-in spoke with Omaha Scanner after her car window was smashed and a bag containing bank cards and other personal items was stolen. The suspects used her bank cards at two gas stations.


"I’m really upset and scared to go out now. I feel like I could be targeted again," she said. Her fear deepened after recognizing the suspects in a video shared by the Omaha Police Officers Association, which shows a woman stealing a dinosaur-shaped inflatable, possibly the same individuals behind her theft.


A Collaborative Effort for Safer Communities

As social media continues to play a growing role in law enforcement, both the OPOA and DCSO are committed to utilizing it to foster safer communities. Through strategic use of technology, law enforcement agencies are not only solving crimes more effectively but also engaging with the public in new and innovative ways. As the landscape of policing evolves, these partnerships between technology, the public, and law enforcement will play a critical role in shaping the future of public safety.

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