The Denver Police Department is Twitter-pated

In the recent past, the Denver Police Department's public-information office hasn't exactly earned a reputation for rapid responses when it comes to either press inquiries or the issuing of news releases. But while the DPD's embrace of electronic communication when it comes to police reports has actually made it more difficult (and more expensive) to get information, its use of another relatively new technological whiz-bang -- Twitter -- is actually providing the media and the public with a heads-up about a wider array of crimes beyond murders of the sort that took place in Montbello late on July 4.

The DPD Twitter feed from the just-ended holiday weekend note the aforementioned slaying -- but entries also reference a number of other prominent incidents, including accidents, stabbings, arrests and non-lethal shootings -- included one at the Arby's a mere block from Westword's offices. Here's a look:

OVERNIGHT: DPD Offcrs investigated a car jacking from 8400 W. Morrison Rd.

about 2 hours ago from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD Det's are investigating a robbery from the Conoco at 758 Colorado Blvd.

about 2 hours ago from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD det's investigating a double shooting which resulted in a homicide at 14954 E. Elk Place

about 23 hours ago from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD investigated a double shooting from 2633 W 25th Avenue

about 23 hours ago from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD investigated a double stabbing at 455 S. Perry

about 23 hours ago from web

OVERNIGHT: @2:35am DPD Offcrs investigated a shooting from the 2000 blk of Market Street -- one victim is in the hospital with serious injuries

7:40 AM Jul 4th from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD Officers investigated a home invasion robbery at 3200 Milwaukee Street

7:38 AM Jul 4th from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD Offcrs investigated an accident where a 17 year old fell off his skateboard and has a serious head injury from 4830 Blackhawk

7:27 AM Jul 3rd from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD Offcs investigated a shooting from 1085 Broadway (Arby's) -- one male shot in the foot

7:24 AM Jul 3rd from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD Offcrs investigated an aggravated assault from 2321 W Evans in which the victim was hospitalized, two suspects were identified

7:23 AM Jul 3rd from web

OVERNIGHT: DPD Officrs arrested Kam Rawlins (37) for a stabbing from 22nd and Downing -- the victim is expected to survive

7:17 AM Jul 3rd from web

True, it'd be nice if these tweets included links to information or reports containing more information. But at least the DPD is moving in the right direction -- by using modern tools to keep the citizenry better informed rather than making info less accessible than before.