Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3b: Introduction of Arcadia CrimeMapping on the Police Department Public Information Web PageSTAFF REPORT Police Department TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Robert P. Sanderson, Chief of Police 1 By: Bob Anderson, Lieutenant / SUBJECT: Introduction of Arcadia CrimeMapping DATE: July 6, 2010 SUMMARY The police department has made CrimeMapping available to the public. The software, accessed through the police department's web site, provides a snapshot of police activity plotted over a Google map allowing the public to view this activity specific to their neighborhood. The cost is $1,200 annually. Omega Group, the service provider, has waived the fee for the first year; therefore there is no fiscal impact to the FY 10/11 budget. Funds for FY 11/12 will be budgeted at that time. BACKGROUND Traditionally the dissemination of criminal information in the community was done in printed format, commonly in the newspaper. Residents would receive their morning local paper and check the weekly blotter to get updated crime information on what occurred in their neighborhood in the prior week. The digital age has afforded us the ability to disseminate this type of information faster and to a larger population. DISCUSSION CrimeMapping, provided by the Omega Group, offers the public valuable timely information regarding criminal activity within individual neighborhoods. CrimeMapping is a computer based program available to any member of the public who chooses to access the site. The software draws data directly from the police department's records management system providing accurate real -time information for interested citizens. Many police agencies in the southland, and across the country, are using CrimeMapping or similar software to keep their communities informed. One of the police department's goals in this venture is to reduce crime through a better informed citizenry. -1- The site has many options for the user including the ability to sort the information by crime type, date range, and /or address of occurrence. Additionally, the user may elect to receive email alerts of incidents in or about an address of choice. There are several crime reporting systems available on the web that a consumer may visit to view crime data in the City of Arcadia. However, the source of the data is always in question as the data is compiled through various public information databases — databases the Arcadia Police Department has no control over. Our agency has chosen to contract with the Omega Group for CrimeMapping services. The primary reason the Omega Group has been selected is the company's good reputation and their dependability. The police department has contracted with the Omega Group for the better part of fifteen years to assist the Crime Analysis Unit with the sorting and plotting of criminal information. The information the Omega Group uses is drawn directly from our department's records management system, therefore is timely and accurate. We have been pleased with their services and the company has been trustworthy in keeping our data secure. FISCAL IMPACT Cost for CrimeMapping provided by the Omega Group is $1,200 annually. The Omega Group has agreed to provide the service to the City at no cost for the first year. Impact on the FY 2010/2011 budget is $0. Billing would commence July 1, 2011. Funds for the service in FY 11/12 will be budgeted from software contract services. RECOMMENDATION Receive and file. APPROVED 6- r�a..Q �c�vwr -e4J Donald Penman, City Manager