Circle K Turns to Social Media to Battle Crime

PHOENIX -- Circle K, a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., is trying to use social media to catch criminals with the launch of a new Crime Busters program on Facebook.

To identity and catch criminals, Circle K has begun posting surveillance photos from crimes committed at the chain's stores on the social networking site. Crime prevention consultant Rollie Trayte applauded Circle K's efforts and told MyFoxPhoenix.com that there is definitely strength in numbers.

"With 800 million Facebook users across the country, and who knows how many here in Arizona, being able to use the community to stop crime and ID suspects -- what a great idea," said Trayte, who is also a former Circle K loss prevention executive. "The people are imminently recognizable with today's technology."

When a visitor to the Circle K Crime Busters Facebook page recognizes the photo of a suspected criminal, they are given several ways to report that person anonymously. Each post directs people to a phone number to call, a link to an online tip form, or they can text SILENT and their tip to 274637. The posts also include specific case numbers.

No other c-store chain has reportedly implemented such a program. However, if Circle K's Crime Busters program proves successful, it's safe to assume other c-store owners will consider implementing similar programs, the report stated.

To see the Circle K Crime Busters page, click here.

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