One of the nation’s top crime mapping websites recently added Turlock to its list of tracked cities, in large part due to the vigilance of the newly created Turlock Neighborhood Watch Facebook page.

SpotCrime.com – a Baltimore-based company founded in 2007 – provides nationwide information on crimes including arrests, arson, burglaries, assaults, shootings, theft and vandalism. With more than 500 cities included in its online database, SpotCrime.com is one of the top crime mapping companies in the nation, with more than twice as many users than any other similar company.

SpotCrime.com sources its information from police departments, news reports, and users who act as community crime reporters. SpotCrime.com added Turlock after reaching an agreement to use information posted on the Turlock Neighborhood Watch Facebook page.

“I was offered the idea of Turlock being added to help the whole ‘know what’s going on in town’ aspect we are trying to gain on the page,” said Dani Love, one of the administrators for the Turlock Neighborhood Watch Facebook page. “If you don’t know what is happening in your town, how can you keep yourself, your family, and your home safe?”

Users of SpotCrime.com can sign up to receive free crime alerts via e-mail and text message. An app is also available for mobile phones.

In November 2012, SpotCrime.com sent out over 200,000 e-mail crime alerts to users in one day, helping to ensure that community members know about any incidents that occur within their city.

“If there’s a neighborhood that hits in multiple burglaries, or a murder, rape, etc., I want to know about it,” said Love. “Being prepared is key in staying safe.”

For more information, visit www.SpotCrime.com or the Turlock Neighborhood Watch Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/TurlockNeighborhoodWatch.