BECKELY -
If you've ever seen the flashing blue lights of a police car and wondered what was going on - - there's a way to find out. 59 News explains how you can keep track of criminal activity in your neighborhood, protect your family and even help solve crimes.
For the city of Beckley finding out why the police paid a late night visit to your neighborhood is just a click away.
"Several years ago the police department was aware that people wanted to know what was happening at the police department and what was going on in their community," Bill Kelley, Beckley I.T. Director said.
Three years ago, the Beckley City Police Department joined forces a company called Crime Report, providing members of the public access to all crime reports.
"You can go to a web site called Crime Reports.com. All you have to do is put in your address and it will show you what kind of crimes occurred in that area whether is a traffic crash or an assault," Kelley continued
Bill Kelley serves as the web site administrator. He said every neighborhood in Beckley can be looked-up. This allows users to see whether they have a convicted sex offender on their street or the details on a crime that may have happened right next door.
He said knowledge is power and there is great benefit to an informed public.
"Well people need to be prepared. They need to be prepared for a natural disaster and types of crimes that are going on. IF you know something is taking place you can take action. You need to take some of those precautions to better protect yourself," Kelley said.
To check out the web site click here.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVNS. All Rights Reserved.
