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Police credit social media in recovering stolen property

Posted at 4:39 PM, Jan 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-26 17:53:07-05

JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. -- Social media is playing a huge role in helping people find their stolen property, but with property crime on the rise, local police do not want you taking it too far. 

Facebook pages like "Stolen KC" are turning your Facebook friends and followers into new age crime stoppers. 

"The more interactive you are, the more involved you are, the more responsive you are, the more interested you are - if you're interested in it, the people will be interested in it," Stolen KC Founder David Brucker said. 

Overland Park police said they can't look into every case - and it's not that they aren't interested in your case, but because they have so many cases open. 

"Thefts are out of control, usually always," OP Officer Blake Larsen said.

Larsen credits "Stolen KC" for helping recovery efforts.

The Facebook page has more than 100,000 followers and more than 30,000 page interactions every single day. 

"That means somebody who's seen the post, they've interacted with the post, liked it, commented, shared it, any of that," Brucker said. 

Posting online gives police more than one set of eyes, and victims a better chance at finding their stolen property. 

"It's definitely a resource to be used and like I said, we're only as good as the community that helps us," Larsen said. 

Police said they are doing their part, but don't want victims to take their case into their own hands. 

"I know that a lot of people want to take things into their own hands and get their stuff back, or get their friends' property back, but call us and let us do it. That way you stay safe," Larsen said. 

Larsen said if you've been a victim of theft, report it first to police. Also, post as much information as you can on social media to help in recovery efforts. 

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