LAKE ORION, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Lake Orion Police Department wants the public to know that sending messages to a police Facebook page in an effort to request emergency assistance is discouraged. The warning comes after a woman sent a message to the LOPD Facebook page to request an ambulance because she did not have a telephone.
According to police, the 28-year-old woman contacted them on Tuesday, Feb 19. She needed an ambulance to respond to her home, and had previously tried several neighbors' homes, but was unable to find assistance. The woman only had a tablet with internet connection, which is why she sent the message to the LOPD page.
"Using a public safety Facebook page to report requests for officers or an emergency is strongly discouraged as there may be a delay in receiving and viewing the message," read a message on the department's page.
Fortunately, police noticed the message quickly and were able to dispatch help to the woman. However, the department is letting the public know that contacting the police in this way is strongly discouraged.
