Online service will link HPD with communities

Honolulu police are adding a new way to communicate with communities.

The Honolulu Police Department on Monday announced a partnership with Nextdoor, a private online social network designed to connect neighbors. People around the country use the platform to discuss neighborhood issues such as crime and safety, give home-repair tips, seek business recommendations and exchange other information. Law enforcement agencies also use it.

“This platform allows us to send information to one specific community or to all communities islandwide,” Chief Louis Kealoha said in a news release. He encouraged people to sign up for the free service at nextdoor.com.

HPD said it has no plans at this time to disseminate crime statistics, such as those the department already provides to neighborhood boards, via Nextdoor.