Cape Girardeau's police and fire departments now have public safety blog

Cape Girardeau residents have a new way to keep up with public safety, get accident reports and view the city's most wanted criminals online.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department, fire department and the city's public information team have created a public safety blog.

"We're reaching people and bringing information to where they are," city spokeswoman Nicolette Brennan said.

On the blog, which started in mid-September and can be found at cgsafety.wordpress.com, residents can find statistics, photos and videos from the fire and police departments. The blog is updated as information becomes available, Brennan said.

Fire marshal Brian Shaffer said the department will use the blog as a way to get the word out about fire safety, especially during the holiday season.

"We want to pass along information on proper use of extension cords and candles in the home during the holiday season," said Shaffer, who also manages the department's education and community outreach efforts.

The blog is still in its infancy, but Shaffer said he is working with Brennan to produce content for it and sees it as a good medium to disperse information about public safety happenings in the community. The department will try post information on the blog continually, Shaffer said.

The most recent fire news to be posted pertained to a Nov. 15 fire at a Cape Girardeau home that forced two people to jump out a window. Seven people were in the house, and six of them were children. The department used the post to ask residents to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and talk to children about fire safety.

"The blog has really enabled us to get our safety information out there," Shaffer said.

The police department has taken a different approach. Rather than blogging safety tips or crime stories, the department has offered up traffic statistics and videos on its various facets.

The blog currently features video of an officer instructing Drug Abuse Resistance Education classes at Cape Girardeau schools. The blog also has parking information for special events in the city.

"It's a pretty useful tool," police spokesman Darin Hickey said.

In addition to the blog, the department has revamped its website to be more convenient for residents, Hickey said. The biggest change to the site is the ability to access accident reports online. Docview allows for anyone involved in traffic crashes in Cape Girardeau to go online and get copies of crash reports for a fee, Hickey said. Nonresidents can get copies without coming to the station.

"It allows our residents another convenient way to get a copy without having to take time out of their day to come to the station," Hickey said in an email. "We still offer copies of the reports for those that wish to come to the station to pick up a copy."

The revamped site still has daily crime reports and a crime map, Hickey said. It also features Cape Girardeau's most wanted, which is in place to help get the word out about violent criminals.

"Sometimes if we are looking for a particular subject for especially violent or serious crimes and we don't have very many leads on their location, then we will try and get those out there pretty quick," Hickey said of the most wanted list on the website.

psullivan@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

40 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO