Social Media Terms of Use

Social Media Terms of Use Releases

Lago Vista Police Departments Social Media Pages

Stay informed about traffic alerts, incidents, and events by following us on social media (@LagoVistaPD): Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.Social Media

City of Lago Vista Police Department 

By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the Lago Vista Police Department, you acknowledge that you are doing so voluntarily and take personal responsibility for your comments, username, and any information you provide. You also agree to the following terms of use:

The Lago Vista Police Department has established a social media program to engage with our community by sharing relevant and timely news, information, and events. We also provide crime prevention and public safety tips, conduct community outreach, and share urgent notifications about critical incidents that may impact residents, business owners, and visitors in Lago Vista, as well as those interested in the Lago Vista Police Department.

By exploring new communication methods, the department can engage with a broad and diverse audience. The goal is to disseminate accurate information and content promptly. These platforms serve as a one-stop source for information. Additionally, the Lago Vista Police Department utilizes social media to assist in solving crimes by posting videos and photographs of suspects who need to be identified.


Social Media Terms and Conditions for Users

PURPOSE. 

Because many of our citizens and other stakeholders utilize social media for news and communications, the City of Lago Vista Police Department has developed its own social media accounts, which help us inform the public about our work and mission.

The Lago Vista Police Department has an important interest in assuring the accuracy and consistency of information associated with our social media sites. We also respect the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the constitutional right to freedom of speech. These terms and conditions establish guidelines for the public’s use of social media that balance these values.

DEFINITIONS.  

  1. "Social media" Refers to digital content created by us and shared on platforms that enable public sharing, commenting, and engagement. Examples of social media accounts we may utilize include Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Nextdoor, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
  2. "Comments" Encompasses any digital content, information, links, images, videos, or any other form of communication posted in response to a social media account we operate.
  3. "User" Refers to any member of the public who views or interacts with our social media accounts.

GENERAL GUIDELINES. 

  1. These terms and conditions apply to all our social media sites. We will provide a link to these terms and conditions as a hyperlink or display them as text on our social media accounts.
  2. Users should know that social media posts we make, comments, and replies to those posts, as well as any direct or private messages sent to us, may be public records subject to applicable public records release.
  3. Our social media accounts are not monitored 24/7 and should not be used to seek emergency assistance. If you require emergency help, please call 9-1-1.
  4. We do not guarantee a response to comments or messages sent through our social media accounts.

Emergency or Non-Emergency Requests for Police Assistance

Posting requests for police assistance, whether for emergencies or non-emergencies, is discouraged and does not ensure a response from the Lago Vista Police Department or any emergency service provider. 

If you are experiencing an emergency or need police assistance, please call 911. To report a crime or provide information related to a crime, please call 512-267-7141. You have the option to remain anonymous if you choose. 

Please be aware that if you share information about a crime, you may become a witness and be subject to being subpoenaed to appear in court.

CONTENT MODERATION 

  1. Limited Public Forum. All social media platforms used by the Lago Vista Police Department are designed as Limited Public Forums under the caselaw pertaining to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The department welcomes people's right to express their opinions and encourages posters to keep relevant comments. Posting any content on any social media platform used by the Lago Vista Police Department by any visitor, follower, subscriber, or fan constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy.  As a general rule, we will not hide and/or delete comments solely because they are critical of Lago Vista, its officials, or employees.
  2. Prohibited Content. Relevant First Amendment caselaw permits us to hide or delete specific comments on our social media accounts. The following will be hidden or deleted per this policy:           
  1. Clearly violate the social media site provider's terms of use or service;
  2. Contains information about City business or operations that is confidential; 
  3. Would reasonably be considered pornographic or obscene; 
  4. Would reasonably be considered defamatory in nature; 
  5. Directly promote or advocate violence or the threat of violence; 
  6. Encourage imminent actions that may compromise public safety; 
  7. Contain information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems; 
  8. Encourage or promote illegal activity; 
  9. Promote or advocate discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation; 
  10. Are solicitations of commerce or promotion of private business enterprises; 
  11. Promote or advertise a commercial transaction, organization, or event that is not sponsored or in direct relationship with the City;
  12. Contain information or a link to inappropriate sexual content;
  13. Comments in support of or in opposition to political candidates, campaigns, or ballot measures; or 
  14. Violate the legal ownership interest of any other party.


3. RETENTION.

 When a Lago Vista Police Department comments containing any of the above-prohibited social media account(s) and are removed according to this policy, a copy or electronic record of that content may be retained or archived under our records retention policy, along with a brief description of the reason the specific content was deleted. Once documented, the content will be removed, where possible, from our social media account(s).


4. RIGHT OF APPEAL.

If our staff hides or deletes a user's comment pursuant to these terms and conditions, staff will inform the user of the policy violation upon request.  The user has the right to appeal that decision by sending a letter to the Lago Vista Police Department, 5901 Municipal Complex Way, Lago Vista, Texas, 78645, within five business days of the removal.

Upon receipt of an appeal, our attorney will determine whether the comment at issue contained content protected by the First Amendment. In the event the attorney determines that a violation has not occurred, the comment may be restored for public view, or the user may be permitted to repost the comment. Upon a determination that the First Amendment did not protect the comment, the user will be notified that the removal shall stand.


 5. BLOCKING OR BANNING A USER. 

When the City of Lago Vista determines that a user has violated these terms and conditions on three or more occasions within a twelve-month rolling period, we may block or ban the offending user from the social media account where the violations occurred.

If we block or ban a user, we will (a) reasonably attempt to notify the user, (b) describe the violation(s), and (c) explain the appeal process.

If it is determined that the user has not violated this policy three times within a rolling 12-month period, we will unblock or unban the user from the social media account. Otherwise, our decision will stand.


6. LINKING. 

  1. The Lago Vista Police Department may publish social media content to third-party social media accounts and platforms for informational purposes only ("Linked Content").
  2. Linked content does not imply the City's endorsement, agreement, or support of any third-party account's content or sponsor(s).
  3. These third-party social media accounts and platforms are not City of Lago Vista accounts, and therefore, their respective site policies apply. The views expressed in user-posted comments, replies, likes, followers, favorites, and/or emojis on third-party social media accounts do not reflect the official views and/or policies of the City of Lago Vista.


7. ENDORSEMENTS. 

"Friending" or "Liking" the Lago Vista Police Department or an officer or employee of the Lago Vista Police Department does not indicate endorsement of that person's actions or comments.

A comment posted by a member of the public on any Lago Vista Police Department social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only. Publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Lago Vista Police Department, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Lago Vista Police Department.


Facebook's Community of Standards

All comments posted to any Lago Vista Police Department Facebook site are bound by Facebook's Community Standards, located at Facebook's Community Standards, and The Lago Vista Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook's Community Standards to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

The Twitter/X Rules

When applicable, the Lago Vista Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Twitter/X Rules, located at Twitter Rules, with the intent of Twitter taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Instagram Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Lago Vista Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Instagram Community Guidelines, located at Instagram Community Guidelines, with the intent of Instagram taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.


Questions

If you have any questions regarding the items in this Terms of Use, please contact the Lago Vista Police Department.