Twittering, which allows users to share a constant stream of information over the Internet, has changed the way many people first hear about news that ranges from celebrity gossip to the ongoing protests in Iran.
And St. Charles Parish is hoping to capitalize on the new fad by starting its own site on Twitter.com.
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging site that allows users to send and read each other’s updates, which are known as tweets. These tweets can cover such varied information as how a friend rates a new restaurant to a breaking news story covered by a local newspaper. St. Charles Parish is hoping that these tweets will provide essential information to residents in times of emergency, such as hurricanes.
“I decided to start a page on Twitter.com so that the parish will be ready to provide information to residents during any emergency situations,” Parish spokeswoman Renee Simpson said. “Recently, Twitter has been used in other emergency situations, such as Iran, and it has been effective.”
In a crackdown following the disputed Iranian presidential election, authorities shut down text messaging, and blocked Facebook and YouTube in order to keep the outside world from finding out what was really going on. However, they forgot about Twitter.
Since then, Iranian Twitterers have posted photos of huge demonstrations and bloodied protesters, which have opened up the eyes of many in the United States to see how unfair Iranians felt the election really was.
While the parish will hopefully never have to deal with a situation like that, Twitter could still be an important lifeline. Much like the parish was able to do with its Web site during last year’s Hurricane Gustav evacuation, the Twitter site will allow residents to stay informed even if they are evacuated. In real time, the parish should be able to update the status of the parish, whether or not there are any flooding problems and when residents could begin to head home.
In non-hurricane situations, the site would be able to spread info on road closures or traffic problems.
“This text-based service allows for quick updates that anyone can view either on their mobile phones or the Internet,” Simpson said. “Twitter will provide another layer of communication between the parish and citizens during any emergency situation.”
But until an emergency situation presents itself, the site will constantly be updated with the same news items that appear on the parish’s Web site, according to Simpson.
As of now, the parish will not branch out to other social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace, and has no plans to start a Twitter page for Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, though Simpson does admit that could be an interesting possibility in the future.
To sign up for Twitter or follow St. Charles Parish, visit www.twitter.com/stcharlesgov.
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