CHICAGO — Well, that didn't take long.
I vote we hijack this. #CPDBPD https://t.co/MgFNOsK9iA
— Anon CopWatch U.S. (@AnonCopWatch) August 20, 2015
Chicago Police and Baltimore Police announced a "multi-city virtual ride along" planned for Thursday night, in which police departments encouraged residents to follow them on Twitter to see officers "work to keep our communities safe." But the so-called "tweetalong" quickly got hijacked by people using the hashtag #CPDBPD to draw attention to police misconduct and racism allegations across the country.
"Are there negative comments on there? Sure," said Anthony Guglielmi, Chicago Police spokesman. "I think negative comments are more reason that people need to know what it's like to police the city of Chicago — a front row seat to see what officers do every day to keep the city safe."
Chicago Police, which has a Twitter account with 28,000 followers, announced that Assistant Director Jenn Rottner and 23-year veteran of the force Officer Mark Mora would be "hitting the street" and tweeting during their shift.
Asst Dir Jenn Rottner & PO Mark Mora from News Affairs hitting the street & ready for tonight's #tweetalong #cpdbpd pic.twitter.com/mX3VS6GKIW
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 20, 2015
#INI! Kind of cool seeing an @Illinois_Alma alumn doing a #police #tweetalong for @Chicago_Police #LESM
— LtBlueBear (@ChiefONeill) August 20, 2015
But even before they began to tweet about their visits to Pilsen, Smith Park, West Loop and more, Twitter users quickly pointed out that both agencies are in hot water due to misconduct issues.
. @Chicago_Police @BaltimorePolice Oh no. Please don't. We don't need more #RekiaBoyd & #FreddieGray "safety" tactics by your two groups.
— Tess (@NovaTess) August 20, 2015
Some mentioned Rekia Boyd, who was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer who had charges dismissed against him earlier this year when a judge ruled that the shooting was not "reckless" but "intentional." Others referenced Freddie Gray, who died in Baltimore Police custody in April and sparked massive protests.
Others mentioned allegations that Chicago Police are illegally detaining people at a facility in Homan Square, according to a series of Guardian investigations.
Hey @BaltimorePolice Do you criminalize the homeless like @Chicago_Police does? DOJ says its unconstitutional but doesn't stop CPD #cpdbpd
— UptownTentCity (@UptownTentCity) August 20, 2015
While a handful of people were glad to see photos of tweets about Chicago police officers working their beat Thursday night, the majority used a combination of memes and sarcasm to react to a social media fumble by the two departments.
How can your officers effectively protect a community that they vilify and and fear? #CPDBPD
— Yve (@yvethepoet) August 20, 2015
Considering scrutiny following deaths of Rekia Boyd and Freddie Gray, why join up for a chat? @BaltimorePolice @Chicago_Police #CPDBPD
— .black (@JamilahLemieux) August 20, 2015
#cpdbpd Chicago has an unusually high disappearance/murder rate. How much do you think your officers contribute to that?
— Nicole S (@honeyychile) August 20, 2015
All we need is the NYPD, the LAPD, Philly PD and anywhere in Texas and Florida to join in, and you have the “No-Justice League.” #CPDBPD
— There's No E In Cory (@CoryTownes) August 20, 2015
@BaltimorePolice @Chicago_Police pic.twitter.com/sPonxElaKv
— joey coco (@joeycoco_jc) August 20, 2015
The @Chicago_Police & @BaltimorePolice are hosting Twtr chat tonight? What can possibly go wrong? #tweetalong #CPDBPD pic.twitter.com/3vX28rQxX2
— Adam (@awnowlin) August 20, 2015
Good thing this is a #tweetalong. Given my native background, I might not survive a ride along. #CPDBPD pic.twitter.com/QDB9tHhclS
— puff the magic hater (@bullhorngirl) August 20, 2015
Do you share and compare stats of unlawful arrests and mistreating prisoners while in your custody? #CPDBPD
— There's No E In Cory (@CoryTownes) August 20, 2015
Why are the @BaltimorePolice friends of @Chicago_Police instead of their communities? What's their common interest #CPDBPD #BlackLivesMatter
— andré carrington PhD (@prof_carrington) August 20, 2015
One tweet, asking for Twitter photos that showed people's reaction to the "tweetalong" garnered more than two dozen responses, compared to the three to four interactions on each Chicago Police tweet.
Guglielmi said, "We're in a climate now where a lot of national events have shaped policing incidents across the country, and there's no better time to be more transparent and open to engage the people you serve."
As of 8:40 p.m. Thursday Chicago Police had not replied to any messages on Twitter during the "tweetalong" except when Baltimore Police asked about the weather and when the police department from Arlington, Texas, asked to be included on the next one.
@ArlingtonPD @BaltimorePolice 10-4!
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 20, 2015
This isn't the first time a police department's social media campaign has backfired: Twitter users hijacked the #MyNYPD campaign last year by posting photos of police brutality instead of photos of themselves interacting with officers, as New York Police requested.
Guglielmi said Chicago Police intends to host "tweetalongs" again in the future, partnering with other police departments in major cities. "It's yet another way to engage the community, whether we use social media or get cops out of cars to walk the beats and interact with neighborhoods," he said.
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