I know that social
media is a very big thing right now. It is how millions of people
communicate with one another on a daily basis. I confess to having a
presence on social media. I am pleased when people like a post on my
Facebook page. It feels as if I've produced something people think
is worth taking the time to watch, read or even share. I don't
really worry about the number of likes I get on a Facebook post. It
seems there are other people who place a very high value to their
presence on social media. I believe the number of likes these people
get on Facebook can determine their blood pressure.
It seems the importance
of getting recognition on social media has now entered into the world
of law enforcement. A person who was a fugitive from the law agreed
to turn himself into a Connecticut police department on one
condition. He asked the wanted poster of him provided by the police
department on social media get 15,000 likes on Facebook before he
surrenders. I'm sure glad he didn't require people only post
positive comments. I know some people on Facebook can be rather
harsh. Maybe Facebook should start a private fugitive group so law
enforcement and fugitives can work things out.
Below are excerpts from
the article with my valuable insights in italics.
The Torrington Police
Department detailed the bizarre situation involving 29-year-old Jose
Simms — who is wanted on seven arrest warrants for failure to
appear in court – in a Facebook post early Wednesday.
“Here’s an interesting
one,” a lieutenant with the department began the post.
Simms “negotiated with
me earlier this week (Through Facebook) and has agreed to turn
himself into Torrington Police if we can get 15,000 ‘likes’ on
this post,” the online post read.
I have heard of people
desperate for attention on social media, but I believe Mr. Simms may
have taken it to an entirely new level. This could change how
criminals operate and law enforcement responds to them. Could this
someday lead to a man walking into a bank, going to a teller and
giving her a note that says he has a gun but won't rob the bank if
they can get a few thousand likes on his latest Facebook post? Will
hostage negotiators be required by those holding the hostages to get
likes and shares on the hostage taker's Pinterest account as well as
Facebook account? Things could be really changing.
The suspect, who cops
believe is somewhere in New York, initially wanted to turn himself in
after receiving 20,000 “likes,” to which cops countered 10,000
and 15,000 was ultimately agreed upon, the lieutenant said.
“It will be difficult
but is doable,” the police official wrote as he pleaded for
Facebook users to “please ‘like’ this post.”
I wonder if this would
work in the business world.
“I'll paint your
house but you have to get my Facebook page 10,000 likes.”
“Are you kidding?
That is not a 10,000 Facebook likes job. How about 4,000 likes and
20 shares of your latest post.”
“How about 8,000
likes and a thousand shares.”
“I'll give you 6,000
likes and five hundred shares and that is my final offer.”
“If you make it 6,500
likes and 600 shares you have a deal.”
“It's a deal, but we
should also discuss your payment.”
“We'll worry about it
later. We've got the important stuff out of the way.”
Simms even taunted police
in the Facebook post, commenting: “Dam that’s a trash pick of me
and only 13800 more likes to go nice job Torrington.”
The police department
replied to Simms comment saying: “Jose, it’s the only one we
had…hopefully, we will get a ‘good’ one soon.”
Some Facebook users got a
kick out of the department’s modern-day way to catch a criminal.
I think Mr. Simms needs
to realize the police are members of law enforcement and not a
professional photographer's guild. I would have to say they can only
post an image they have and probably didn't want him to provide a
better picture of himself. I'm sure people on Facebook really
enjoyed it. They're in a safe location, away from law enforcement as
well as a fugitive and can offer their opinion in the cyber world.
I don't think this
would work in my house.
“It's your turn to do
laundry.”
“You just have to get
me a few hundred more likes on my most recent post on Facebook post
and it will be done.”
“How about you get a
few hundred more ways to like doing the laundry.”
“I thought our
marriage was about open discussions.”
“Yeah, and I'll be
more open to discussing whatever you want once you're done with the
laundry as you promised.”
“How about the likes
on my Facebook post?”
“How about your
liking of not living in a house with a wife who is angry at you.”
“Okay, but how about
a few shares on Facebook?”
Due to the graphic
nature of my wife's sign language, I won't tell you about the adult
hand signals she was willing to share on my latest Facebook post.
Below is a link to the
article.
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