Social Media Terms of Use

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Novato Police Department Social Media Terms of Use

By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the Novato Police Department, you participate by your own choice, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information you provide therein. You further agree to the following terms of use:

The Novato Police Department maintains a social media program for the purpose of engaging and interacting with our community, providing relevant and timely community news, information and events, distribution of crime prevention and public safety tips, for urgent notifications of critical incidents which may affect residents, business owners and visitors of the Novato Police Department, and for those people having an interest in the Novato Police Department.

Limited Public Forum

All social media platforms used by the Novato Police Department are designated as Limited Public Forums. The department welcomes a person’s right to express his/her opinion and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question. Posting of any content on any social media platform used by the Novato Police Department, by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy.

For purposes of this policy, a social media platform is the website or app offered to the public to provide audio, video, still-photo or written communication between other members of the public and/or representatives of certain groups, businesses, organizations or departments. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor, YouTube, website blogs with commenting capabilities, forums and emergency notification services.

The definition of content as used in this policy refers to any written copy, photos, graphics, videos, live-video streams, comments or any form of communicative content exchanged between parties.

Emergency or Non-Emergency Requests for Police Assistance

The posting of requests for police assistance, regardless if it is of an emergency or non-emergency nature, is discouraged and will not guarantee a response by the Novato Police Department or any emergency service provider. In case of an emergency, or if police assistance is needed, please dial 911. If you wish to report a crime or information relevant to a crime, please call (415) 897-1122. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

In the event you post information related to a crime, you may be placing yourself in a position of becoming a witness and subject to being subpoenaed into court.

Endorsements

“Friending” or “Liking” the Novato Police Department, or an officer or employee of the Novato Police Department, does not indicate an endorsement of that person’s actions or comments.

A comment posted by a member of the public on any Novato Police Department social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Novato Police Department , nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Novato Police Department.

Moderation of Content

The Novato Police Department 's social media platforms are intended to be "family friendly," When applicable, the department uses platform provided content moderation/filtering options to limit foul or obscene content. The Novato Police Department does actively monitor the social media platforms used by the department, and will remove inappropriate content as defined below, without prior notice, and as soon as possible. The department shall reserve the right to remove and/or block anyone who posts inappropriate material as determined by the department. This material may include, but is not limited to:

Comments not related to the original topic, including random or unintelligible comments
Profane, obscene, or pornographic content and/or language
Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, or national origin
Defamatory or personal attacks
Threats to any person or organization
Comments in support of, or in opposition to, any political campaigns or ballot measures
Solicitation of commerce, including but not limited to advertising of any business or product for sale
Conduct in violation of any federal, state or local law;
Encouragement of illegal activity
Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
Content that violates a legal ownership interest, such as a copyright, of any party
Harassment or content which constitutes and/or facilitates stalking
Content which violates the right to privacy
Encouragement of violence
Repetitive content
Comments which may reasonably interfere with, inhibit, or compromise law enforcement investigations, police tactics, police responses to incidents and/or the safety of police staff and officers
Posts or comments that contain any external links

The department does not allow posting of photos or videos by anyone other than members of the department.

Denial of Access

The Novato Police Department reserves the right to deny access to any Novato Police Department social media sites for any individual, who violates the Novato Police Department ’s Social Media Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice.

Facebook's Community of Standards

All comments posted to any Novato Police Department Facebook site are bound by Facebook’s Community Standards, located here, and the Novato Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook’s Community Standards to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

The Twitter Rules

When applicable, the Novato Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Twitter Rules, located here, with the intent of Twitter taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Instagram Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Novato Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Instagram Community Guidelines, located here, with the intent of Instagram taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Nextdoor Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Novato Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Nextdoor Community Guidelines, located here, with the intent of Nextdoor taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

YouTube Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Novato Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the YouTube Community Guidelines, located here, with the intent of YouTube taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Questions

Should you have any questions regarding items contained herein this Terms of Use, please contact the Novato Police Department Social Media Team at 415-897-4361 or by emailing SocialMedia@novato.org.

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