Clark Co. Sheriff focuses on Facebook

MARSHALL, Ill. (WTHI) - The Clark County Sheriff's Office has been around for quite some time; but nowadays, the rather traditional Sheriff is excited about the department's use of modern technology.

"When I started here, there were no computers, cell phones, there were no communications hardly at all; and most of the time, the radio worked," Jerry Parsley, the Clark County Sheriff said.

This office is using a Facebook page to extend the long arm of the law right into your desktop.

• FACEBOOK | Click here to view their page

They use it to explain laws, share unique information, and keep everyone up to date on situations as they happen.

For example, when a pursuit led police and deputies through several Illinois counties last month, rumors swirled, but the Facebook site was the first to release real info, including a letter from the sheriff himself.

They call it an effort to be as open as possible with the public.

"We are giving to the public, something that they were just craving for, and it's done timely, and it's done accurately, and with those two things, I don't know how it could better," Parsley said.

It looks like it's working.

Folks who log on are raving about it. At last check, they have more than 1,700 likes.

They've even been featured on national police agency websites.

Facebook operators said they do not use the page to respond to calls, but they will review comments and questions.