Yes, it's true: the LA County Sheriff's Dept. has announced that it's entering the social media networks, in addition to its other online offerings.
Facebook: The sheriff has opened a Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Twitter: @LASD_News, or if you're not subscribed to Twitter, view at :
http://twitter.com/#!/lasd_news
Youtube: the sheriff's headquarters bureau now has a Youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/LACountySheriff
Nixle: And as always, you can visit www.Nixle.com and register for "Nixle" alerts from "LASD – HQ Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" PLUS your local sheriff's station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
If you're not subscribed to Nixle, you can view newsroom email/text messages here:
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Alert LACounty emergency notification system. Register your cell phone and voiceover IP phones for emergency messages from police agencies in Los Angeles County:
http://portal.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
LA Crimestoppers: confidential/anonymous email/ text/ phone call crime reporting to police agencies in Los Angeles County:
http://lacrimestoppers.com/
And there's always the website of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department: