HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
It's clear the power of social media can now solve crimes, but is it the best way to go?
With a quick search, you can pull up dozens, if not hundreds, of videos on YouTube with people posting crime info.
More police departments are also opening up to social media to help crack cases.
When tips start to run dry and there are no new leads, Hartselle Police Department posts pictures and surveillance video on their Facebook and they've had 100 percent success solving the crimes.
There are also several videos on YouTube where regular people are taking crime solving into their own hands - sort of vigilante justice.
Hartselle Police said it can help, but there are some things to consider.
If it's a major felony case, you may not want to jeopardize it by posting crucial info on Facebook.
You may also be putting the person who gave you the information in harm's way.
"We definitely encourage the community's help. We feel like policing the community is a group effort, but at the same time when we reach out to them, we take the steps to try and keep them confidential," said Lt. Justin Barley with Hartselle Police.
No matter what, Barley said you always need to fill out a police report after a crime is committed and consult a detective before hitting the web with sensitive information.
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Hartselle Police have had a 100 percent success rate in catching people through pictures and videos on Facebook.
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