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.
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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
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Donald Penman, City Manager