SIOUX CENTER (AP) — Area police departments are caught in a balancing act as they take advantage of high-tech tools in solving crimes.

The ability to instantly share news and seek the public’s help through Nixle, a text-message alert system, as well as such popular social media sites as Facebook and Twitter is tempered by knowing certain information can do more harm than good in a public forum.

“You have to have a balance between public safety and getting information (out) and causing undue alarm,” said Sioux County Sheriff’s Sgt. Nate Huizenga.