The shelter-in-place warning to the residents of Boston spread throughout social media Friday as Boston police continue the massive manhunt for the second man suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings. It began Thursday night, and officials quickly locked down the city, halting trains, taxis and local businesses. One suspect was killed in a shoot-out with police.
As area residents, like Kathy O'Reilly, awoke to the news, they quickly turned to social media for the latest updates.
"We got the first reverse 911 call at 6:30 this morning telling us the school was closed due to the MBTA shutdown," she said. "We immediately called our kids and they had already received text messages and Facebook updates from the school. Our kids both attend college at Suffolk University. Suffolk has done an awesome job keeping all parents and students updated via their Facebook page."
O'Reilly, who lives north of Boston, has in turn been sharing the information she gets on her Facebook page, while also checking on her friends who live in the Watertown area, where police have focused the manhunt. "Colleagues and friends live in Watertown, so I'm also following live news coverage this morning from their Facebook pages since they're in the middle of everything."
Other residents are following Twitter for the latest news and warnings. The Boston Police tweeted continuously throughout the investigation and posted a tweet early this morning to warn residents in Watertown to stay indoors:
#CommunityAlert: Residents of Watertown asked to stay indoors. Do not answer door unless instructed by a police officer.— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 19, 2013
In case there was any question as to whether businesses should open, this tweet was a definitive 'no.'
#CommunityAdvisory: Businesses in area of 480 Arsenal St in Watertown closed til furher notice. Employees instructed to remain home.— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 19, 2013
Officials continue to use Facebook and Twitter as a way to spread news and information, as have other news organizations, like the Boston Globe:
TERROR BOMBING MANHUNT: MBTA shut down. People in Watertown, Waltham, Newton, Belmont, Cambridge, and Allston-Brighton asked to stay home.— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 19, 2013
BREAKING NEWS: All taxi service in the City of Boston has been suspended pending further notice. via @boston_police— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 19, 2013
O'Reilly says Facebook has been her lifeline since the bombing on Monday. "We had one cousin running in the race on Monday and several family members near the finish line waiting for him to cross. Facebook was the only way we could stay in touch to be sure they were all OK."
Boston's Police Commissioner Ed Davis extended the shelter-in-place recommendation throughout Boston Friday morning.