It does not seem that terribly long ago that an organization with a social media presence was something of a novelty. Today, we can scarcely think of any organization, public or private, that does not use these profiles to engage the public.

That applies to law enforcement, too.

In 2022, the Columbus Police Department used its Facebook page to promote its spin on Valentine’s Day. On the post that appeared on the Facebook page on Valentine’s Day that year, CPD Chief Joseph Daughtry posted the following message:

“Do you have an ex-Valentine and know they have warrants? Give us a call at the Columbus Police Department with their location for a special holiday offer. This week’s special includes free transportation, a stay in our luxurious accommodation at LCADC, Valentine’s dinner and a special pair of bracelets. All this can be yours for the price of a phone call! Callers can remain anonymous.”

We don’t know how many warrants the CPD cleared through the one-day media campaign, but it did produce a lot of traffic on its Facebook page. If engaging the public was a goal, the campaign served its purpose.

Now, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is getting into the action.

Sheriff Eddie Hawkins is using a new weekly posting of six suspects with outstanding warrants under the title of “Warrant Wednesday.”

Citizens who call in with tips on the location of those featured can earn up to $1,000, said Hawkins, who came up with the social media campaign to try to make some headway in clearing the backlog of hundreds of outstanding warrants over the past few years, which is a challenge for law enforcement everywhere.

Part of the problem is that the public is often reluctant to share information on those sought on warrants with law enforcement. That, too, is common everywhere.

Calling attention to outstanding warrants through social media and offering a cash reward means more people are aware of those on the list and maybe persuaded to help for a cash reward.

A look at the initial “Warrant Wednesday” list and you quickly realize that this is not intended to be the LCSO’s “Most Wanted List.”

Four are wanted for possession of meth, while one is wanted for burglary of an auto and another for false pretenses.

It seems like a pretty random process.

In addition to clearing warrants, the campaign is an effort to engage more with the public.

We are not inclined to tell law enforcement agencies their business, but we don’t feel it improper to suggest the LCSO isn’t using this campaign to its full benefit.

When we hear the words “sheriff” and “warrants” and “wanted,” our thoughts quickly turn to the days of the Old West.

We suggest LCSO capitalize on that with this campaign.

For starters, the LCSO could produce individual “WANTED!” posters with the print and typography of the era for each of the six people being sought. There’s plenty of software that could turn a sheriff’s mug shot into a line drawing to reflect the time period. Throw in a line in all caps that reads, “$1,000 REWARD!” and we think folks would quickly catch on to the spirit of the campaign.

Another suggestion: Give each of those sought a colorful Old West nickname. For example: Ted Jones becomes “Topeka Ted” Jones. Bob Smith could be identified as “Cactus Bob” Smith. Mary Johnson? “Bad Medicine Mary” Johnson. Carol Brown becomes “Calamity Carol” Brown. George Wilson? “Gabby George” Wilson. The possibilities are endless.

We urge the LCSO to consider these wonderful suggestions and apply them to the next episode of “Warrant Wednesday.”

Hi-ho, Silver, away!

Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].

Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].

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