People in my business have something of a love-hate relationship with cops and prosecutors.
It's pretty simple.
They have what we need - information.
They give it to us - sometimes we have to pry it out of their hands - and we publish it.
That's the way it's always worked.
But, not terribly surprising in this business, times are changing. And the way we gather information - and deliver it - are changing as well.
There was a time when we were pretty much alone in "publishing."
Not anymore.
Today every person with a smartphone is a "publisher."
That includes cops.
More and more, police are corralling the power of social media to take their message directly to the public, often times making a plea for information to help solve crimes.
Upper Darby has led the way in this field.
Their Twitter account - @UDPolice - is a must-read, and not just for journalists.
The man behind this new trend - at least it was then - was longtime Upper Darby Police Capt. David Madonna.
But soon the Upper Darby police handle will have a new master.
Madonna soon will become the top cop in Prospect Park when he assumes the police chief job there.
He's not leaving Twitter, though. His new handle is @3P_Chief. Get it? Prospect Park Police.
That is the kind wit that made the Upper Darby Twitter account under Madonna's tutelage a trailblazer.
Or, as we said on Tuesday's front page: How Tweet It Is!
You can read about it here.
Next thing you know he's going to want a column in the newspaper.
Thanks for all the help, Captain (soon to be chief).
Why do we get the feeling you're not going to be a stranger?
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