By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the Santa Cruz Police Department, you participate by your own choice, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information you provide therein. You further agree to the following terms of use:

The Santa Cruz Police Department maintains a social media program for the purpose of engaging and interacting with our community, providing relevant and timely community news, information and events, distribution of crime prevention and public safety tips, for urgent notifications of critical incidents which may affect residents, business owners and visitors of the city of Santa Cruz Police Department, and for those people having an interest in the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Limited Public Forum

All social media platforms used by the Santa Cruz Police Department are designated as Limited Public Forums. The department welcomes a person’s right to express his/her opinion and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question . Posting of any content on any social media platform used by the Santa Cruz Police Department , by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy.

For purposes of this policy, a social media platform is the website or app offered to the public to provide audio, video, still-photo or written communication between other members of the public and/or representatives of certain groups, businesses, organizations or departments. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, website blogs with commenting capabilities, forums and emergency notification services.

The definition of content as used in this policy refers to any written copy, photos, graphics, videos, live-video streams, comments or any form of communicative content exchanged between parties.

Emergency or Non-Emergency Requests for Police Assistance

The posting of requests for police assistance, regardless if it is of an emergency or non-emergency nature, is discouraged and will not guarantee a response by the Santa Cruz Police Department or any emergency service provider. In case of an emergency, or if police assistance is needed, please dial 911. If you wish to report a crime or information relevant to a crime, please call (831) 471-1131. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

In the event you post information related to a crime, you may be placing yourself in a position of becoming a witness and subject to being subpoenaed into court.

Endorsements

“Friending” or “Liking” the Santa Cruz Police Department , or an officer or employee of the Santa Cruz Police Department , does not indicate an endorsement of that person’s actions or comments.

A comment posted by a member of the public on any Santa Cruz Police Department social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Santa Cruz Police Department, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Moderation of Content

The Santa Cruz Police Department 's social media platforms are intended to be "family friendly," When applicable, the department uses platform provided content moderation/filtering options to limit foul or obscene content. The Santa Cruz Police Department does actively monitor the social media platforms used by the department, and will remove inappropriate content as defined below, without prior notice, and as soon as possible. The department shall reserve the right to remove and/or block anyone who posts inappropriate material as determined by the department.
This material may include, but is not limited to:

1. Comments not related to the original topic, including random or unintelligible comments;
2. Profane, obscene, or pornographic content and/or language;
3. Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, or national origin;
4. Defamatory or personal attacks;
5. Threats to any person or organization;
6. Comments in support of, or in opposition to, any political campaigns or ballot measures;
7. Solicitation of commerce, including but not limited to advertising of any business or product for sale;
8. Conduct in violation of any federal, state or local law;
9. Encouragement of illegal activity;
10. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
11. Content that violates a legal ownership interest, such as a copyright, of any party;
12. Harassment or content which constitutes and/or facilitates stalking;
13. Content which violates the right to privacy;
14. Encouragement of violence;
15. Repetitive content;
16. Comments which may reasonably interfere with, inhibit, or compromise law enforcement investigations, police tactics, police responses to incidents and/or the safety of police staff and officers.
17. Posts or comments that contain any external links.

The department does not allow posting of photos or videos by anyone other than members of the department.

Denial of Access

The Santa Cruz Police Department reserves the right to deny access to any Santa Cruz Police Department social media sites for any individual, who violates the Santa Cruz Police Department ’s Social Media Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice.

Facebook's Community of Standards

All comments posted to any Santa Cruz Police Department Facebook site are bound by Facebook’s Community Standards, and the Santa Cruz Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook’s Community Standards to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

The Twitter Rules

When applicable, the Santa Cruz Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Twitter Rules, with the intent of Twitter taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

YouTube Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Santa Cruz Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the YouTube Community Guidelines, with the intent of YouTube taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Instagram Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Santa Cruz Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Instagram Community Guidelines, with the intent of Instagram taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Questions

Should you have any questions in regards to items contained herein, this Terms of Use, please contact the Santa Cruz Police Department social media manager at (831) 420-5844 or jblaschke@santacruzca.gov jblaschke@santacruzca.gov.