THEGOVLOOPGUIDE
22.
mapping for
CRIME REDUCTION
in communities
“Using the visual crime maps and detailed aerial photography, personnel and resources were better placed at the right times to provide deterrent to potential crime.�
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has been the catalyst for much of the recent innovation in crime control and prevention. This critical public service has always been reliant upon information and intelligence gathering and mapping, but GIS software provides a platform for considering many variables affecting crime simultaneously. The initial use of crime data mapping had been limited to charting location and time of a crime. GIS software allows users in state and local government in the police department to plot crime, both in terms of time and place. Do-
ing this, they are able to analyze the data and determine patterns of criminal behavior within the city. They can do this for many types of crime, including burglary, car theft, and more. Because of the analysis of these patterns, police departments are able to better identify patterns of criminal activity.
Best Practice: Enhance Traditional Practices Law enforcement is naturally visual field, and crime mapping has existed in some form for well over one hundred years. Until the past few