Using social media makes it easy to communicate…Especially with law enforcement.

Police from all over the county have started using social media to catch criminals. This is very effective because the police don’t have to travel to get answers when the clues come directly to them. Here is a story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer about effective use of social media by government.

MEDINA, Ohio – Police arrested a 27-year-old man wanted on drug charges after someone recognized him from a picture posted on the department’s Facebook page, which shows fugitives.

Lucas Stewart was arrested Sunday after an anonymous caller saw his picture on the site and gave police his current address. Police said they had warrants out for Stewart for drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.

Stewart is being held in the Medina County Jail.

Medina police launched a Facebook page on Oct. 24 .

“Thirty years ago we posted wanted fliers at the post office, today it’s Facebook. I’m shocked at how fast this first arrest came in,” said Medina Chief Patrick Berarducci in a news release. “Using Facebook lets the public access wanted photos wherever they happen to be and whenever they want. This is the essence of community policing.”

The fugitive photographs are displayed on the page and in an album titled, “Warrants.” If you have any information on the fugitives, call Medina police at 330-725-7777.