The Oxford Police Department is using Nextdoor.com to promote safe neighborhoods through crime prevention. Nextdoor is a free, private social network that allows members to communicate with verified residents within their own communities and neighborhoods. The Oxford Police Department intends to leverage the Nextdoor platform this holiday season as a tool for forming new and improved connections within the community that it serves.
Since members are organized by geographical location, Nextdoor has become a kind of Neighborhood Watch for the 21st Century. Nextdoor provides an opportunity for neighbors to share ideas, collaborate, and discuss issues that are important to them, including public safety.
Already, 20 neighborhoods, and over 1,200 residents of the City of Oxford, have launched Nextdoor accounts. Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor accounts and the police department will not be able to access residents’ accounts, contact information, or content. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, membership to this social network requires verification of the individual’s home address, ensuring that your Nextdoor neighbors are your real neighbors.
Oxford residents are encouraged to join by visiting www.nextdoor.com to create a free account, or to learn more. The Nextdoor app is available for free download, giving you instant 24/7 access to community and public safety information.
To ensure information reaches members of the Oxford Police Department, citizens are urged to select the Crime & Safety category when sending messages to their individual neighborhoods. The OPD Detective Unit will be monitoring Nextdoor for any tips that could help you and your neighbors.
“We want the citizens and students to know that this holiday season we are cracking down on package thefts and vehicle or homes burglaries that are vacant for extended periods. We want to partner with the people of Oxford to make this holiday season joyful and Grinch free,” said Chief Joey East. 
