City of Port St. Lucie, FL deletes its Facebook page

[RockaFowler]

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_st_lucie_county/city-of-port-st.-lucie-deletes-its-facebook-page

It's the posts and comments between September 16, 2009 and September 16, 2010 that prompted city leaders to take down the City of Port St. Lucie Facebook page.

"The idea was to get our message out, to put up information, everything from toddler athletic leagues to public events for things to do and city council messages and general city business," says city spokesman Ed Cunningham. 'But people would get on and talk about things that are not related to any of those and it would be a distraction from our main message."

Cunningham says the city doesn't have the resources to constantly monitor the page.

There are many comments on it that could cause trouble for the city.

The legal rights and boundaries of Facebook and other social networking sites are still being explored.

David Prather, an attorney with Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain and Williams, has tried several libel cases.

He believes cities and other government agencies should stay off Facebook and other similar sites.

[ixion]

1. I didn't read the comments, but my bet is they were negative towards the city officials

and running contrary to the 'message'.

[ejpoeta]

2. they should stay off social sites if they aren't wanting to hear negative

comments. people, especially right now, aren't very fond of their government... even local ones. they are angry and are lashing out at everyone. kind of like when my kids are angry and lash out at me.