Community Corner

New Tools Give Port Jefferson Patch Readers More Control

Here are some things to know about our new format.

We hope you love our new look and are taking some time to click through and discover all the bells and whistles.

There are a few updates, however, that might not be apparent at first glance. A big one is our updated community moderation tool.

What is it? Readers can flag any content they find objectionable on any Patch site at any time. We’ve put the flagging link in more places to make it easier to find and backed it with more sophisticated tools. Our goal is to recognize and reward readers who make our community great.

How does it work? You’ll see these words — Flag as Inappropriate — on the top and bottom of Board posts, articles, blogs and notes, and next to every single comment anywhere on the site. To flag something, you simply click those words.

What happens when I flag? It alerts us that something might be up with the content. 

When should I flag? We ask that you use your common sense and a general spirit of openness. You should never flag things that you simply disagree with and certainly not to clarify minor points. We encourage you to comment, post (or even start your own blog) to be heard on those things. You can review the Patch Terms of Use here. 

Why not just insist people use their real names? Great question. We are always evaluating our commenting policies. We require a valid, verified email to comment, offer an easy Facebook sign-in option and absolutely encourage people to use their real names. But, since we technically can’t check your ID at the door, we appeal to everyone’s civility to keep that balance between a wide-ranging, open and passionate conversation and basic neighborliness. 

I flagged something but it’s still there. What’s up? That can mean a few things. It can mean not everyone agrees the content is truly objectionable or our editors are reviewing it. If you have any concerns, email your editor Joseph Pinciaro at josephp@patch.com.

What if I like a comment or article? Great! Click the recommend button. You can also leave your own comment and share the link on your social networks.

What if I still have a problem with content I see on Patch? Definitely contact your local editor. You can also reach out to Regional Editor Henry Powderly at henry@patch.com.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here