Howard County commissioners discuss social‑media moderation; sheriff's office to disable comments

Commissioners revisited a previously raised social‑media topic and opted against adopting a formal countywide policy at this meeting, favoring a more limited approach for now.

Commissioner Lipinski said he would "not be inclined to do a policy at this time" and proposed that county IT, working with counsel, add a disclaimer and remove content the county deems highly offensive. Other commissioners expressed agreement and emphasized that the county does not actively monitor comments but will remove offensive material when staff or the public bring it to their attention.

During the discussion a representative from the sheriff's office said the agency will disable comments on its Facebook page because the office repeatedly receives graphic and profane posts aimed at deputies. The sheriff's office representative described receiving posts that included profanity directed at officers and said, "we're gonna shut our comments off at the sheriff's office." Commissioners asked the county attorney and IT department to draft a public statement clarifying that while the county does not routinely monitor social media, it reserves the right to remove offensive material.

No formal social‑media policy was adopted; commissioners instructed staff to prepare language for a public statement or guidance to be reviewed later.