The Town of Bowden is putting the final touches on its new, official "Facebook presence.
The Town of Bowden is putting the final touches on its new, official "Facebook presence."
"It should be up and live within the next several days," said Andy Weiss, the town's chief administrative officer, on July 10, adding people can find the town's page by searching for Bowden, Alberta, on the popular social media site.
Town staff will update the page with timely information about Bowden, he said.
"It's just yet another avenue that we have the ability to use that we'll keep citizens informed of ongoing and late-breaking news."
At its June 23 meeting, Bowden council directed town staff to develop a new communication system for the town using social media tools such as Facebook after concerns from the community had arisen about the lack of timely information coming from the town or police during two police searches in Bowden last month.
Following the searches for two men who were considered armed and dangerous, the town received letters from at least two Bowden resident calling on the town to set up social media information notifications and other information distribution systems.
"When there are events like this, hazardous waste spills, weather alerts, or even something like a water main leaking, it would be nice to get informed as soon as possible," wrote Paul Matsune in his letter.
He went on to say in the letter that a social media presence would also allow the town to inform residents of community events on a timely and easily accessible basis.
"This can be a great communication tool and not just a 'crisis only' alert system."
Marion and Jim Rasmussen wrote that they were not able to find any information about police activities in Bowden during the searches in June and recommended the town look at a variety of information distribution systems such as using the town fire alarm and a vehicle with a megaphone to get important information out to residents, maintaining an "emergency site" on the town's website and creating an "emergency fan out list."
The town's Facebook page can be found here https://www.facebook.com/people/Bowden-Alberta/100004955146141.
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