City of Minneapolis officials can now log in to a popular neighborhood social network to post updates or news bulletins for neighborhoods around the city.

The city said Tuesday that it is working with Nextdoor, a private social networking tool that allows residents of specific neighborhoods to communicate with each other. Most of Minneapolis' neighborhoods already have Nextdoor networks, and more than 24,100 residents subscribe to the service.

The system requires people to verify their address before joining a particular network. Matt Lindstrom, a city spokesman, said the city will now also have access to those networks -- but only in one direction. The Police Department, Fire Department and other agencies can post relevant messages to neighborhoods or citywide, but won't be able to see the information of the people on each network.

More information about the free service is available at www.nextdoor.com/minneapolis.