WESLACO – The Weslaco Police Department is recommending residents use a new mobile application to help prevent crime.

Nextdoor.com can be accessed it on any computer or cellphone.

The police department described the app as an online neighborhood watch group that could help get law breakers caught quicker.

The application works by letting subdivision neighborhoods communicate with each other in a Facebook-like layout.

Police said users need nine people to log in and establish themselves in the neighborhood.

A minimum of 50 people have to live in the neighborhood. After that is met, people can share posts about what’s going on in their community.

“It allows the neighbors to communicate with one another… There’s been a burglary in the area, a theft in the area, suspicious vehicles, anything like that. It allows them to communicate with one another. So, now all the neighbors are on the lookout for this particular vehicle, subject, whatever it is that they’re putting out there,” Eric Hernandez with Weslaco police said.

Weslaco police said they see theft and burglary cases most often. They said the application will help make people aware.

Police said the more people are aware, the easier it is to apprehend a subject.