New Jersey mayor uses Twitter to clear Newark streets
By the CNN Wire Staff
Newark, New Jersey (CNN) -- Cory Booker has added social media to his arsenal of snowplows as the active Newark, New Jersey, mayor helps get his city dug out from several feet of snow from this week's storm.
Booker is using Twitter to communicate directly with residents to help get roads cleared and people who are stuck in the snow some assistance.
"I ... have a great Twitter feed, residents who are letting me know what's happening, letting me know if they need help," Booker said Tuesday evening.
"We've gotten diapers to people. Delivered food," he said. "One pregnant woman who was going into labor -- at least thought she was. We were able to get there before the ambulances could. We actually got an ambulance unstuck."
In a Twitter exchange between the mayor and a Newark resident, one motorist asked for a street to be cleared. Booker tweeted: "If ur stuck DM (direct message) me ur (number)," before sending a crew to dig the motorist out.
Booker also promised to send a road crew to clear streets around a hospital, after someone tweeted that it had not been adequately cleared.
"Sending team immediately back there 2 ensure hospital is clear," Booker tweeted.
One resident posted a photo on Twitter of a city crew clearing a roadway, and thanked the mayor.
"You are so welcome!" tweeted Booker.
Booker has used Twitter during emergency situations before, Brenna Ehrlich noted on Mashable, a social-media-focused blog, which is a CNN Tech partner.
"During last winter's blizzard, Booker came to the rescue when Jersey resident Ravie Rave tweeted that her elderly father's walk was in need of shoveling," Ehrlich wrote.
"Maybe there's a lesson in snowflakes," Booker said from the middle of a snow-packed street. "Individually we're a little weak, but when we stick together there's a lot of strength there."
After laboring throughout the day Tuesday, Booker sent another tweet before heading to bed -- saying his work wasn't done.
" Heading in for night," he tweeted shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. "Plows & Salt trucks will work through the night & into morning. Still much work to do but I'm grateful 4 the progress."
Credit: CNN (www.cnn.com)
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