Over the past several days, it has been widely reported that residents in San Jose, CA were terrorized by an arsonist who set at least twelve fires within a five-mile radius, igniting fear and suspicion amongst the community.
Thanks to the hard work of the San Jose Police and San Jose FIre Departments, the suspect was apprehended and taken into custody on Wednesday evening, January 15th, 2014.
We would like to recognize the members of Nextdoor Roosevelt, one of the San Jose neighborhoods hit hardest by the attacks. They used Nextdoor to keep each other informed, distribute stills of the suspect, and organize neighborhood watches while the arsonist remained at large. Nextdoor Roosevelt serves as a model for how neighborhoods can use the power of technology to come together in times of crisis.
“Nextdoor played a key role with safety and communications between our neighbors,” says Dee Barragan, member of Nextdoor Roosevelt. “The website enabled us to stay in touch and protect us from harm. We’re able to sleep easier now thanks to Nextdoor.”
Our thoughts are with the San Jose families affected by this tragedy. As they begin to rebuild their homes, we are inspired by their strength and resilience. The enduring power of communities like those in San Jose reaffirm our mission.
For more information and to support recovery fund efforts, please click here.
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