Beginning as a social networking site, Twitter has transformed into a forum for students, businesses, and community organizations. Now, the City of Eugene uses the site to update locals on news.
The micro blog allows users to write 140-character status updates on social or news-related topics, and now departments in the city are also riding the new media wave.
The Eugene Police Department began tweeting last week and will use Twitter to alert residents of traffic accidents and crime breakouts in the community.

“It is essential to inform the public when breaking news happens,” said Jenna LaBounty, an EPD spokesperson. “The public deserves to know when homicides, rapes or break-ins occur.”
The City of Eugene Public Works Department started posting traffic updates to Twitter last week in an effort to make residents’ commutes easier.
“We are only tweeting about current road advisories to make it easier for people to avoid traffic jams,” Eugene Public Works Spokesman Eric Jones said. “If people follow us they won’t be bogged down with advertisements or excess information.”
The city began toying with the idea of using Twitter after the 62-year-old Jones became aware of its usefulness at a Public Relations Society of America meeting in Eugene. Jones said the success of Twitter for Eugene’s airport was enough evidence for the city to try it.
The airport has had a Twitter account for eight months and has acquired 400 followers. The airport uses Twitter to promote deals on flights and send out updates regarding airport news.
“Any effort to improve communication is good,” said Julianne Newton, associate dean for journalism undergraduate studies. “Twitter is another way for the city to connect with the citizens of Eugene.”
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts also uses Twitter, not only to release information about the center, but to promote upcoming events and post videos of dress rehearsals and backstage moments that have not traditionally been available to the audience.
Jones said the city recognized that young people in Eugene are more likely to check Twitter than to log on to the city’s Web site.
“Twitter is a huge trend in social media among young people,” journalism major Hayley Maxwell said. “It is nice to see the city of Eugene responding to that.”
Jones said that with so many people using iPhones and Blackberrys on a regular basis, allowing them to access the Internet en route to their destinations, his primary concern is that drivers will use the new technology to check out where construction and traffic back-ups are happening.
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