Police Use Valentine's Day Fun to Find People with Warrants

This Valentine's Day, many police in the US made funny social media posts. They asked people to report ex-partners who have arrest warrants. This is a creative way to help find people the police are looking for.
By Newsroom | US News, Law Enforcement |

This Valentine's Day, a wave of social media campaigns from police departments across the United States offered a darkly humorous take on romance and law enforcement. Agencies from Rhode Island to Texas employed lighthearted, yet pointed, messaging, encouraging the public to report ex-partners with outstanding arrest warrants. The campaigns, often featuring Valentine's Day themes intertwined with law enforcement imagery, aimed to leverage public sentiment and social media reach to aid in warrant apprehension.

Police across US encourage reporting exes with outstanding warrants on Valentine’s Day - 1

National Trend: "Exes with Warrants" Campaigns

Multiple police departments nationwide participated in a social media trend encouraging citizens to report former romantic partners who have outstanding arrest warrants. These campaigns, largely launched around Valentine's Day, used humor and creative messaging to motivate public participation.

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  • Common Themes: Many posts adopted a "gift" or "special offer" approach, humorously detailing what an individual with a warrant might receive if turned in. These often included:

  • A complimentary ride in a police cruiser.

  • A "stylish" new outfit, often alluding to jail attire.

  • A complimentary stay at a local correctional facility.

  • A photo session, sometimes described as "from different angles."

  • Humorous Slogans: Phrases like "Love fades, warrants don't," "Turn heartbreak into public safety," and "Roses are red, violets are blue, we're looking for you" were frequently employed.

  • Social Media Focus: Departments utilized platforms like Facebook and Twitter to disseminate their messages, often creating visual content such as flyers with Valentine's Day graphics and police elements.

Selected Departmental Initiatives

Several departments were particularly active in these Valentine's Day warrant initiatives:

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  • Rochester Police Department, Massachusetts: This department offered a "Valentine's Day Special" for those with an ex who "has a warrant…or is riding dirty," detailing a free ride, complimentary jewelry (one size fits all wrists), a photo shoot, and an all-inclusive stay at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. They assured tipsters of confidentiality.

  • Warwick Police Department, Rhode Island: Echoing the sentiment, Warwick police offered a similar "package," including a free ride in a cruiser and a complimentary weekend stay in their holding facility.

  • Bradenton Police Department, Florida: This department invited the public to report ex-partners with active warrants as a Valentine's Day surprise, using an image of a police car with roses.

  • Berks County Sheriff's Office, Pennsylvania: Following a "lighthearted" social media post, the office reported an increase in calls regarding outstanding warrants, which they stated range from failure to appear to murder.

  • Hutto Police Department, Texas: Their Valentine's-themed flyer, featuring hearts and handcuffs, asked, "Got an Ex With a Warrant?" and promised a "night away from home" with a police vehicle ride and "fine dining cuisine." They also noted that tipsters could remain anonymous.

  • Gun Barrel City Police Department, Texas: This department brought back a "Valentine's Day tradition" with a humorous spin on breakups and warrants.

  • Muskegon Police Department, Michigan: Joined the trend with a Facebook reel similar to other departments.

  • Columbus Police Department, Nebraska: Offered a "photoshoot from different angles" for exes that could result in an all-inclusive stay at the Platte County Jail.

  • Richardson County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska: Stated that exes turned in to them would receive a set of matching bracelets.

  • Grand Island-Hall County Crime Stoppers, Nebraska: Offered rewards for tips that lead to an arrest, framing it as a perfect way to "treat yourself to a Valentine's dinner."

  • Phillipsburg Police Department, New Jersey: Encouraged residents to report individuals with outstanding warrants, stating officers would "hand-deliver" a Valentine in the form of an arrest.

Notable Clarifications and Non-Participation

While many departments embraced the trend, some issued clarifications or opted out:

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  • North Platte Police Department, Nebraska: This department explicitly stated they were not participating in the viral social media campaign, becoming aware of a circulating post and clarifying their non-involvement.

Evidence and Observations

The efficacy of these campaigns appears varied, with some departments reporting positive results:

  • Berks County Sheriff: Sheriff indicated that their viral post was "helping address outstanding arrest warrants," with phones lighting up with tips.

  • Social Media Engagement: The nature of the posts suggests a deliberate use of viral social media tactics to increase public engagement and information sharing regarding outstanding warrants.

  • Confidentiality Assurances: Several departments emphasized that tips could be provided anonymously, a common tactic to encourage reporting.

Public Response and Departmental Motivations

The campaigns appear to have generated significant public attention and discussion.

  • Leveraging Public Sentiment: The initiatives tapped into a common, albeit often unspoken, sentiment of post-breakup frustration. By framing it within a law enforcement context, departments sought to channel this energy constructively.

  • Community Policing Strategy: These efforts can be viewed as a form of creative community policing, aiming to foster a sense of partnership between citizens and law enforcement by using accessible and engaging communication methods.

  • Addressing Warrant Backlogs: The underlying goal is to reduce the number of outstanding warrants, which can be a persistent challenge for law enforcement agencies. Humor and social media trends serve as a contemporary means to address this operational need.

Conclusion and Implications

The widespread adoption of "ex-warrant" social media campaigns by US police departments for Valentine's Day highlights an innovative approach to warrant apprehension. By blending humor with actionable public service announcements, these departments sought to increase citizen involvement in addressing outstanding legal matters.

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  • Effectiveness: Initial reports suggest that these campaigns have indeed spurred increased tip generation, demonstrating a tangible, albeit humor-driven, impact on warrant resolution.

  • Future Trends: The success of these initiatives may encourage other law enforcement agencies to adopt similar creative, socially-driven strategies for public engagement and operational goals.

  • Ethical Considerations: While seemingly harmless and effective, the campaigns raise subtle questions about the use of personal relationships and potential animosity as a tool for law enforcement, a nuance that warrants observation.

  • Next Steps: Continued monitoring of warrant clearance rates in departments that participated in these campaigns would provide further data on their long-term effectiveness.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did police use Valentine's Day for warrant searches?
Police used Valentine's Day themes to make funny posts. They hoped this would get more people to share tips about those with warrants.
Q: What kind of jokes did police use?
They joked about giving people with warrants a free ride in a police car or a stay in jail as a 'gift'.
Q: Did this plan work?
Some police said they got more calls and tips after making these posts.
Q: Did all police do this?
No, not all police departments joined in. Some made it clear they were not part of this trend.