Dalton Police Department unveils Spanish Facebook page

Dalton Police Department's Police Services Center building in Dalton, Ga.
Dalton Police Department's Police Services Center building in Dalton, Ga.

The Dalton Police Department has launched a new Spanish version of its Facebook page in order to serve and communicate with Latino residents, who by some estimates make up almost half of the area's population.

The department's English page has more than 12,000 followers and is used to post updates as well as speak to residents who contact the agency through direct messages with questions, concerns or tips about criminal activity. Officers hope to replicate some of that success with residents who primarily speak Spanish, according to a news release.

"The city of Dalton has a very diverse population," said Assistant Chief Cliff Cason. "The most recent census information places the Hispanic population at approximately 47 percent. If we don't take steps to get our message to the Spanish speaking community, we are missing nearly half of the community we serve."

Officers and staff fluent in Spanish will translate posts from the English Facebook page and post them as well as monitor for private messages. However, just like the English version, the page will not be monitored 24 hours a day and anyone who needs an emergency response from police still should call 911.

"We have to adapt to the current demographics of the community we serve," Cason said. "Utilizing social media in both an English and Spanish format will allow us to reach a broader group. It will help show the Spanish-speaking community that they are important to us."

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