Associated Press Published

Police Say Don't Use Social Media to Request Help

WV State Troopers, WV State Police

Law enforcement officials say the public shouldn’t use social media to request immediate help.

West Virginia State Police spokesman Lt. Michael Baylous tells The Charleston Gazette that the agency doesn’t have the manpower or resources to monitor its Facebook page around the clock.

Baylous says the Facebook page has received several messages requesting an immediate response.

St. Albans police Capt. James Agee says his department is too small to constantly monitor incoming messages on social media.

Baylous says anyone needing immediate assistance can call 911 or the local state police detachment. If talking on the phone isn’t feasible, Baylous says the individual could text a friend and ask them to call for help, or call 911 and leave the line open.