KENT (AP) -- Criminals caught in one pocket of northeast Ohio are likely headed for public embarrassment at the hands of a small-town police chief and his many Facebook fans.
Chief David Oliver has embraced his Brimfield Township department's Facebook page to communicate with residents, rant about various topics and criticize criminals, whom he calls "mopes." His mix of humor and blunt opinion draws the attention of others well beyond his town.
In the past year, the "likes" for the page increased tenfold to more than 49,000. That's more than four times the number of residents the department serves.
Oliver is capitalizing on that popularity by pitching mugs and T-shirts with "no mopes" logos to raise money for school security improvements.
He says it's about accountability and creating change, not gaining attention.
Chief David Oliver has embraced his Brimfield Township department's Facebook page to communicate with residents, rant about various topics and criticize criminals, whom he calls "mopes." His mix of humor and blunt opinion draws the attention of others well beyond his town.
In the past year, the "likes" for the page increased tenfold to more than 49,000. That's more than four times the number of residents the department serves.
Oliver is capitalizing on that popularity by pitching mugs and T-shirts with "no mopes" logos to raise money for school security improvements.
He says it's about accountability and creating change, not gaining attention.
