Pasco police take social media followers along for the ride

Pasco police took the department’s social media followers along for the ride Friday night to give people an inside look at a typical shift.

The department held its third virtual ridealong since increasing its presence a year ago on Facebook and Twitter.

After plugging the event for the past week, with biographies of each officer who would be working, the swing shift started with 18,944 followers on the department’s Facebook page and 2,273 on Twitter.

By Saturday morning, its Facebook fan base broke the 19,000 mark with 185 new people, while its Twitter account gained 21 new followers.

Both Pasco Police Chief Bob Metzger and Officer Adam Brewster said the event is about transparency.

Brewster was responsible for keeping their followers updated throughout the 10-hour patrol shift, using both his work cellphone and in-car tablet to upload pictures and respond to comments.

“People say they don’t know what we do, so this is the best way,” Metzger told the Tri-City Herald. “It’s a great way to show people our human side, but also show people what we do.”

It’s like a day in the life of a cop, without a script or editing, the chief said.

Metzger acknowledged that the department got a few negative comments during the prior virtual ridealongs last year on boat race weekend and New Year’s Eve.

The issue there was people did not like the fact the social media posts were showing the faces of those arrested, but the chief points out it all is a public record.

The vast majority of responses were supportive and appreciative of efforts to show the department’s inner workings, he said.

Toward the end of the shift early Saturday, Brewster posted a video of officers checking near the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter because of ongoing complaints about homeless people bothering pedestrians on the walking path.

That garnered a Facebook comment from Joel Muney, telling the department they “are doing a kick a-- job.”

“No better way to get the public to stand beside you and help you guys do your job. Great public relations,” Muney said in his posting. “If more departments do what you guys are doing, then they would have a better relationship with the public. That’s a fact. Keep up the good work.”

Ideally the department will schedule the virtual ridealongs every quarter and show officers on different shifts, Brewster said.

The Herald got a front seat to Friday’s ridealong and captured the experience through tweets:

4:31 p.m. .@PascoPoliceDept preps for its popular virtual ride along. It is Friday the 13th. What can happen tonight?

4:37 p.m. Officer Adam Brewster is behind @PascoPoliceDept postings for tonight's #PascoRideAlong. First stop: rear-end crash.

5:01 p.m. "Coming into this line of work it was actually shocking to see what happens in the world." -Brewster #PascoRideAlong

5:09 p.m. Brewster's warning after Walmart shoplifting: loss prevention is watching & police have room ready. #PascoRideAlong

5:18 p.m. This is @PascoPoliceDept's 3rd social media event. Brewster says so popular, heard about a virtual ride along party tonight. #PascoRideAlong

5:33 p.m. Definite tough calls on #PascoRideAlong. Earlier possible drowning. Paramedics responded. Word baby pulling through.

6:09 p.m. .@PascoPoliceDept has gained a following w/events like #PascoRideAlong. 19,000 on #Facebook & 2,300 #Twitter

6:41 p.m. Pasco assisting #WallaWalla with domestic assault in Burbank. Officer Abastillas w/possible suspect. #PascoRideAlong

6:49 p.m. Man walked up to officers, put cig in mouth & milk carton on ground, turned expecting to be cuffed. #PascoRideAlong

7:44 p.m. Brewster likes to show love to all Pasco residents. Princess was excited for the visit. #PascoRideAlong

9:09 p.m. One detained at Thunderbird Motel as @PascoPoliceDept officers serve search warrant. #nighthasfallen #PascoRideAlong

9:27 p.m. K9 Hapo reported for duty with @PascoP oliceDept graves. Sorry no Lemon, but Hapo is equally cute. #PascoRideAlong

9:42 p.m. SUV stopped Columbia & Fifth. No headlights on, but quickly illuminated by lights of 3 patrol cars. #PascoRideAlong

9:53 p.m. Brewster makes a stop at #FranklinCounty 911 dispatch to touch base & briefly update on war stories. #PascoRideAlong

10:17 p.m. Brewster couldn't miss opportunity to get video of #K9Hapo. He knows what social media fans want. #PascoRideAlong

10:39 p.m. Cruised through Pasco Red Lion. Chatted with Steve with hotel security. Not much happening at the bar yet, so we moved on. #PascoRideAlong

10:46 p.m. Brewster recognized guy walking with his girlfriend on Lewis. Quick check showed 4 active warrants. #PascoRideAlong

10:49 p.m. Dude considered running, but Brewster got him. Not happy as Brewster & Officer Park put him in car. #PascoRideAlong

10:59 p.m. Jail time! Pat down by #FranklinCounty corrections officer as booking process begins. #PascoRideAlong

11:23 p.m. Where are you party people at? Curtis, security at Out and About, says it's too early to be hopping. #PascoRideAlong

11:41 p.m. Domestic call. Guy gets ride to jail for allegedly beating woman, who's in car talking to officers. #PascoRideAlong

12:14 a.m. This guy didn't want to hear his Miranda rights. Everything was answered with "Jets Jets Jets."#PascoRideAlong

12:25 a.m. The @PascoPoliceDept had 18,944 #Facebook followers at 3:30 p.m. when swing shift started #PascoRideAlong. They have 19,052 as of 12:30 a.m.

12:51 a.m. Checking in with Steve at Red Lion's Grizzly Bar. Number of amorous couples on dance floor. #PascoRideAlong

1:42 a.m. Brewster, Park and Groom have gotten complaints about homeless camps behind Tri-City Animal Control. #PascoRideAlong

2:27 a.m. Intoxicated woman leaving club with friends leaned into Brewster and bit his arm. "I wanted to take a taste of you!" #PascoRideAlong

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Pasco police take social media followers along for the ride."