The Baltimore Police Department has found a new way to communicate with the public. Over the weekend, it's top cop and top spokesman launched a Facebook page. At the moment, the group has but one member -- me -- and a press release on arrests in a home invasion.

It's a little sparse at the moment but I'm gathering it will quickly grow as a way for both the department to talk to residents and for people to raise questions and engage cops in the hot topics of the day.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman, said information about arrests and incidents will be posted, and Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III will also post from time to time, and maybe even answer emails. Time will tell on what sort of information Guglielimi and Bealefeld address -- hopefully they won't feel shy about confronting controversial topics and decisions, such as pulling cops from bar security or not naming officers who fire their weapons.

But for now I'm guessing the postings will be relatively benign.

That and the Baltimore Police Department website are ways of getting information out that is not picked up by the traditional media, the radio talk shows and the blogs, such as the Baltimore Sun's Crime Beat. But to retain interest, Bealefeld and Guglielmi will have to enter the fray, more like verbal combat, while still retaining a sense of decorum. It's not easy.

I got wind of the department's plans on Friday as I out at a bar doing what reporters do best -- grousing about the state of newspapers and the state of public officials. Right in the middle of a beer at Captain Larry's, my Blackberry went off and I read the message. I had to read it twice to make sure I hadn't overindulged -- Frederick Bealefeld wanted to be my friend on Facebook.

When I got home I discovered that sure enough the commissioner had a Facebook page set up. There was his picture and a series of news releases. I accepted his inivitation and for nearly a day I was his only friend. Just me and the commish!

Two others joined on Sunday. I have no idea how many he asked into his club, but Guglielmi told me that morning the commissioner wanted to friend everyone in Baltimore (though twittering was not in the picture).

"He wants to use it as a portal to distribute Baltimore Police Department news and events," Guglielmi said, "and get the Facebook community engaged and involved in what we're doing."

I thought this was a wonderful idea and I looked forward to see Bealefeld's wall postings and status changes. Of course, this opens up a whole new world and exposes the commissioner, the reproters who cover him and the citizens he serves to their often intimate worlds. By my making him my friend, Bealefeld could learn about my friends in California, my cousins, and if I fill out the forms, what books I like to read, what I like to drink, where I've traveled ...

It doesn't matter because a few hours later, the site came down and was quickly replaced by a Baltimore Police Department site. Guglielmi said the new site reflects the commissioner's desire to have the department represtened over the personality. That's probably a better idea, though I don't think organizations can reach out and friend people -- the people have to reach out to the organizations.

I'm encouraged by any attempt by the police to reach out, though I'll miss being, even it was for just a few hours, Frederick Bealefeld's only friend.

And when Bealefeld had his personal page up, he offered a little comment at the end of the news release annoucing the arrests in the home invasion, a little ataboy to his troops. That was gone on the official BPD Facebook page. I understand that the commissioner can make the plug but the organization has to maintain a professional look, but a little bit of personality can't hurt!