The Newport News Police Department uses social media as a way of communicating with the public.
From community forums and Facebook Live chats to crime updates and #9PMRoutine reminders, the department promotes and posts a variety of content —daily.
Another thing the department has been promoting?
Tail-wagging Tuesdays.
“Tail Wagging Tuesdays is basically a partnership between us and the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter,” said Brittany Lewis, an officer with the NNPD.
Since Feb. 26, the department’s social media pages have been posting weekly photos featuring an employee and either an adoptable dog or cat, said Jamie Bastas, spokeswoman for Newport News Police.
Lewis came up with the idea to have a social media campaign promoting animal adoptions and together with Bastas — the pair created a program working with the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter.
“All but four animals have been adopted,” Lewis said. “We only try to get animals that have been there for a long time.”
Both women are animal lovers and Lewis actually adopted one of her dogs from the city’s shelter in 2009.
The NNPD plans to have dog ride-alongs with patrol officers to socialize them and get them out and about.
But for now, the department will continue to posts on adoptable dogs and cats from the PRAC and jobs with the police department.
At this time, the Hampton Police Department does not plan on promoting animal adoptions or dog ride-alongs.
