For 24 hours, the Dunwoody Police Department tweeted continually.
Every call the department received was typed up, numbered and posted on the social media website Twitter. From 6 a.m. on April 8 to 6 a.m. on April 9, the police department posted each of its 111 calls.
And if you ask Police Chief Billy Grogan, the experience was a wild success that drummed up public interest in the police department.
“We started that Friday the week before with about 1,200 [Twitter] followers, give or take a few. Today we’re over 2,000. We added 800 followers in that week period of time,” Grogan said. “I think that’s pretty significant. It took us two years basically to get to 1,200 followers. And one week to get to 2,000.”
Grogan said there were several things that lead the department to try this social media experiment.
“One was to educate the community about what we do and give them a snapshot in a day in the life of the Dunwoody Police Department,” Grogan said. “The second thing was about transparency and building trust. We really try to let people know what we’re doing and what’s going on which helps build trust in the community. And the last is, we hoped through this effort we could add followers to our Twitter account to have even more impact in the community.”
The tweets caught several eyes and many responded.
The most discussion was generated from call No. 82, about a car hitting a deer, and call No. 105, when the Division of Family and Children Services was called in to take custody of two children who were left alone.
“There were a lot of different comments, like ‘I didn’t realize you guys were so busy.’ Some people commented that they didn’t know there were so many false alarms, things like that,” Grogan said.
“In most cities you only really hear about what you would call the big cases, where something bad happens that makes it to the news. But we also deal with a lot of different things throughout the day — alarm calls, cars getting broken into, or domestic situations. It’s hard to understand that unless you really see it.”
City Councilman John Heneghan commended the department’s effort at the council’s April 11 meeting. “It was an outstanding initiative, transparency at the utmost. I think it went very well,” Heneghan said.
Grogan said the department may tweet its calls again, but doesn’t have any plans to start doing it on a regular basis.
“We’re hoping through some other initiatives like this we can build on our momentum and create more interaction. That’s what Twitter is all about. It’s not just putting information out there, it’s getting feedback,” Grogan said.
Here is a list of all 111 tweets – You can follow Dunwoody Police here
Call #1: Traffic stop on I-285 EB at North Peachtree Road and a verbal warning given to the driver. #dpdcalls
Call #2: Traffic stop N Shallowford Rd and a verbal warning given to the driver. #dpdcalls
Call #3: Traffic stop on Tilly Mill Rd one citation issued.#dpdcalls
Call #4: Residential Security Check in Dunwoody Station Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #5: Residential Alarm on Dunwoody Club Crossing. False Alarm #dpdcalls
Call #6: Traffic stop on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #7: Residential Security Check in Dunwoody Club Forest Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #8: Traffic stop on Roberts Dr. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #9: Residential Security Check in the Waterford Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #10: Residential Security Check in the Fontainebleau Forest Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #11: Residential Security Check in the Lockridge Forest Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #12: Traffic stop on I-285 WB at Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Warning issued. #dpdcalls
Call #13: Residential Alarm on Cambridge Drive. False Alarm#dpdcalls
Call #14: Traffic stop on Cotillion Dr at N Shallowford Rd. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #15: Residential Security Check in the Dunwoody North Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #16: Found property on Dunwoody Station. Report completed and property taken. #dpdcalls
Call #17: Traffic stop on N Peachtree Rd at Cotillion Dr. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #18: Suspicious person at the Bank of America on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. #dpdcalls
Call #19: Traffic stop on I-285 EB at Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #20: Residential Security Check in the North Springs Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #21: Residential Security Check in the Village Mill Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #22: Traffic stop on Cotillion Dr at N Peachtree Rd. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #23: Road hazard on I-285 EB at Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Item removed from the road. #dpdcalls
Call #24: Business alarm on Mt. Vernon Road. False alarm.#dpdcalls
Call #25: Traffic stop on Peeler Rd at Lakeside Dr. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #26: Larceny theft by an employee at a business on Dunwoody Village Parkway. #dpdcalls
Call #27: Traffic stop on Peeler Rd at Happy Hollow Rd. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #28: Two vehicle accident on I-285 EB at N Peachtree Road. #dpdcalls
Call #29: Traffic stop on I-285 at EB at N Peachtree Road.#dpdcalls
Call #30: Vehicle stalled in the left lane on I-285 EB. Vehicle was pushed off the roadway. #dpdcalls
Call #31: Residential Alarm on Brendon Drive. False Alarm#dpdcalls
Call #32: Traffic stop on Peeler Rd at Adams Rd. Warning issued.#dpdcalls
Call #33: Domestic dispute on Ashford Gables Dr between male and his ex-girlfriend. #dpdcalls
Call #34: A fraud report was completed at an address on Buckline Crossing. #dpdcalls
Call #35: Residential Security Check in Dunwoody Court Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #36: Accident on I-285, male driver arrested on felony drug warrants out of Cobb County. #dpdcalls
Call #37: Residential Security Check in the Brooke Farm Neighborhood. #dpdcalls
Call #38: Trouble unknown call on Madison Dr from Onstar. False Alarm. #dpdcalls
Call #39: Domestic dispute at 1850 Cotillion Drive. #dpdcalls
Call #40: A tag was reported stolen off a vehicle at Ashford Park Apartments. #dpdcalls
Call #41: Residential Alarm on Village Creek Drive. False Alarm. #dpdcalls
Call #42: Domestic dispute between husband & wife at Asbury Square. #dpdcalls
Call #43: Two vehicle accident on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd at I-285. #dpdcalls
Call #44: A male was arrested for simple battery regarding a domestic on Peachford Circle. #dpdcalls
Call #45: Suspicious person at Broadstone Apartments.#dpdcalls
Call #46: Traffic stop on I-285 EB at N Peachtree Rd. Warning issued. #dpdcalls
Call #47: Suspicious person at 8 Perimeter Center East. #dpdcalls
Call #48: 911 hang up at 56 Perimeter Center East. Accidently dialed 911. #dpdcalls
Call #49: Male arrested on a court order at Dunwoody Police Department. #dpdcalls
Call #50: Two vehicle accident at 4725 Ashford Dunwoody Road. #dpdcalls
Call #51: Residential Alarm on Ashford Gables Drive. False Alarm #dpdcalls
Call #52: Two vehicle accident at 7 Dunwoody Park. #dpdcalls
Call #53: Domestic dispute on Withman Dr between husband and wife. #dpdcalls
Call #54: A burglary was reported on N Peachtree Rd. Suspects have been identified. #dpdcalls
Call#55: Traffic Stop on Meadow Ln @ Perimeter Center Pl. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #56: Accident on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Ashford Gables Dr. Citation Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #57: Suspicious/ Possible Gang Activity Peachtree Place Apartments. #dpdcalls
Call #58: Traffic Stop on Dunwoody Park @ Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Citations Issued, Vehicle Impounded.#dpdcalls
Call #59: Residential Alarm on Vernon North Dr. False Alarm.#dpdcalls
Call #60: Traffic Stop on Peachtree Industrial Blvd Access Rd. Citation Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #61: Residential Alarm on Peeler Rd. False Alarm.#dpdcalls
Call #62: Traffic Stop on Mt Vernon Rd @ Dunwoody Village. Driver arrested on warrant out of Cobb County. #dpdcalls
Call #63: Traffic Stop on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd @ I-285. Citation Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #64: Residential Security Check off Oxford Chase Way.#dpdcalls
Call #65: Shoplifting at Charlotte Russe within Perimeter Mall. False Alarm, subject located within store with merchandise.#dpdcalls
Call #66: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #67: Traffic Stop on Tilly Mill @ Peeler Rd. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #68: Shoplifting @ Macys. 1 Male arrested. #dpdcalls
Call #69: Traffic Stop on Winters Chapel @ Peeler Rd. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #70: Drug Complaint call at Peachtree Place Apartments resulted in 2 arrests for Possession of Marijuana. #dpdcalls
Call #71: Shoplifting @ Macy’s. 2 juveniles were arrested but later released to their parents. #dpdcalls
Call #72: Traffic Stop on Winters Chapel Rd @ Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #73: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Hammond Dr. Citation Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #74: Suspicious Vehicle @ Brook Run Park. #dpdcalls
Call #75: Assisted a broken down vehicle/ motorist on I-285 @ Ashford Dunwoody Rd. #dpdcalls
Call #76: Fight/ Person armed call on Lake Ridge Lane. All parties fled the area upon police arrival. No known injuries.#dpdcalls
Call #77: Traffic Stop on Winters Chapel @ Peeler Rd. Warning Issued #dpdcalls
Call #78: Noise Complaint Asbury Square Apartments. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #79: Traffic Stop on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd @ I-285. Citation Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #80: One vehicle accident within Dunwoody Glen Apartments. No Report Requested. #dpdcalls
Call #81: Gun shots heard in the area of the playground within Peachtree Place Apartments. Nothing found upon police arrival. #dpdcalls
Call #82: One vehicle accident with a deer on Roberts Dr.#dpdcalls
Call #83: Business Alarm at 123 Perimeter Center West. False Alarm. #dpdcalls
Call #84: Barking dog complaint in the area of Leisure Dr.#dpdcalls
Call #85: Traffic Stop on Womack @ Tilly Mill Rd. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #86: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Perimeter Center East. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #87: Suicide Threats call on Ellisbury Dr. Subject voluntarily went to the hospital. #dpdcalls
Call #88: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Perimeter Center West. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #89: Noise Complaint @ Madison Square of Dunwoody.#dpdcalls
Call #90: Unknown disturbance call on Azalea Gardens Dr. People in the area were found talking loudly, no other disturbances found #dpdcalls
Call #91: Noise Complaint on Dunover Cir. Warning Issued.#dpdcalls
Call #92: Traffic Stop on I-285 @ Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Citation Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #93: Assisted a broken down vehicle/ motorist on I-285 @ Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. #dpdcalls
Call #94: Assisted a broken down vehicle/ motorist on Meadow Ln @ Ashford Dunwoody Rd. #dpdcalls
Call #95: Traffic Stop on N Peachtree Rd @ Dunwoody Crossing. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #96: Traffic Stop on Winters Chapel Rd @ Lake View. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #97: Residential Security Check in the Briars North neighborhood #dpdcalls
Call #98: Unknown Trouble call at The Heights Apartments. All parties left the scene prior to police arrival #dpdcalls
Call #99: Suspicious Person/ Vehicle at the Shell, Chamblee Dunwoody Rd @ Cotillion Dr. #dpdcalls
Call #100: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Hammond Dr. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #101: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Perimeter Center East. Warning Issued. #dpdcalls
Call #102: Domestic dispute between husband & wife on Perimeter Trace. #dpdcalls
Call #103: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Ravinia Dr. Citation issued. #dpdcalls
Call #104: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Ravinia Dr. Driver was arrested for DUI #dpdcalls
Call #105: 2 small children were found to be deprived after being left home alone. DFACS will be taking custody of the children. #dpdcalls
Call #106: Traffic Stop on Peeler @ Tilly Mill Rd. Warning issued #dpdcalls
Call #107: Traffic Stop on Winters Chapel @ Parkwood Village. Driver was arrested for DUI. #dpdcalls
Call #108: Civil Disturbance at the W Hotel. Situation resolved. #dpdcalls
Call #109: Traffic Stop on Ashford Dunwoody Rd @ Hammond Dr. Warning issued. #dpdcalls
Call #110: Medical call in Peachtree Place Apartments. Turned over to DeKalb Fire Rescue. #dpdcalls
Call #111: Suspicious Person @ Ashford Gables Dr. Subject was gone upon police arrival #dpdcalls