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Results for crime mapping

19 results found

Author: Krause, Andre

Title: The Crime Threat Analysis Process - An Assessment

Summary: This study investigated the application of the crime threat analysis process at station level within the Nelson Mandela Metro City area with the objective of determining inhibiting factors (constraints) and best practices. Qualitative research methodology was applied and interviews were conducted with crime analysts and specialized investigators/intelligence analysts. The research design can be best described as descriptive - and explorative in nature. The crime threat analysis process embroils the application of various crime analysis techniques and the outcomes thereof intends to have a dual purpose of generating operational crime management in assisting crime prevention initiatives and crime detention efforts, mainly focussing on the criminal activities of group offenders (organized crime related), repeat offenders and serial offenders. During the study it became evident that crime analysts understand and thus apply the crime threat analysis process indifferently, which impeded on the relevancy and the utilization therof as an effective crime management tool.

Details: Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2007. 132p.

Source: Master's Essay

Year: 2007

Country: South Africa

URL:

Shelf Number: 118756

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Crime Prevention
Organized Crime

Author: Moffatt, Luke

Title: Crime Mapping Project: Project Safe Neighborhoods Hawaii

Summary: Project Safe Neighborhoods is a partnership program designed to reduce firearm-related crime. This report presents the offender dataset and crime mapping used in the implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods in Hawaii. The report presents 37 maps constructed to show the location of offenses targeted in the program.

Details: Honolulu: Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division, 2005. 56p.

Source: Internet Resource

Year: 2005

Country: United States

URL:

Shelf Number: 119134

Keywords:
Crime Mapping
Firearms and Crime
Gun Violence
Guns
Illicit Firearms
Project Safe Neighborhoods (Hawaii)

Author: Quinton, Paul

Title: The Impact of Information About Crime and Policing on Public Perceptions: The Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial

Summary: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) carried out a randomised controlled trial to test the impact of crime maps and policing information. The public’s reaction to information about crime and policing was positive; a large majority thought it was informative and trustworthy. Importantly, the study was able to challenge the myth that sharing information with the public would increase the ‘fear of crime’. In fact, information was found to improve people’s perceptions of their neighbourhood and of the local police. The results of the study suggest that crime and policing information is a promising intervention in terms of improving the views of the public and, potentially, enhancing police accountability. The evidence, therefore, indicates that an investment of police resources in making information available to the public is worthwhile, particularly when integrated within a broader neighbourhood policing approach.

Details: Bramshill, UK: National Policing Improvement Agency, 2011. 61p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2011 at: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Full_Report_-_Crime_and_Policing_Information.pdf

Year: 2011

Country: United Kingdom

URL: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Full_Report_-_Crime_and_Policing_Information.pdf

Shelf Number: 120809

Keywords:
Crime Mapping
Fear of Crime
Neighborhood Policing
Police-Community Relations
Policing (U.K.)
Public Information

Author: Filho, Claudio C. Beato

Title: Crime, Police and Urban Space

Summary: The Brazilian agenda of priorities in the area of public security in the last decade has focussed on the interconnections between three great subjects: (a) violent urban crime, with all the implications of disaggregation and social disorder; (b) urban space, with an emphasis on exclusion, marginality and disorganization; and (c) the police, protagonist of multiple crises and probably one of the most frequent actors in all areas of urban space. In this context, a crucial question is what has been the impact of the police in the control of the violence in Brazil’s urban centres? Few public agencies have such deep participation in the diverse environments of the cities, such frequent interaction with their inhabitants, as the police. This paper will explore the interconnections between these three dimensions of public security, analysing the experience of Belo Horizonte, a Brazilian city of two million inhabitants. We will analyze the impact of a program of police management in which the use of maps was a central strategy. The project was carried out over twenty months, and the results of the evaluation using time series analysis indicate that it had a significant impact on violent crimes rates.

Details: Oxford, UK: Centre for Brazilian Studies, University of Oxford, 2005. 34p.

Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper No. CBS-65-05: Accessed March 15, 2011 at: http://www.brazil.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/9356/Claudio20Beato2065.pdf

Year: 2005

Country: Brazil

URL: http://www.brazil.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/9356/Claudio20Beato2065.pdf

Shelf Number: 121004

Keywords:
Crime Mapping
Policing
Urban Areas
Violence (Brazil)
Violent Crime

Author: Caplan, Joel M.

Title: Risk Terrain RTM Modeling Manual: Theoretical Framework and Technical Steps of Spatial Risk Assessment for Crime Analysis

Summary: Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) is an approach to risk assessment that standardizes risk factors to common geographic units over a continuous surface. Separate map layers representing the presence, absence, or intensity of each risk factor at every place throughout a terrain is created in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and then all risk map layers are combined to produce a composite “risk terrain” map with attribute values that account for all risk factors at every location throughout the geography. RTM aids in strategic decision-making and tactical action by showing where conditions are ripe for events to occur in the future. This manual is offered as a primer on risk in the criminal event and demonstrates effective ways to apply RTM to crime analysis and policing operations. It begins with a review of the RTM approach to spatial risk assessment and presents a short overview of the theoretical underpinnings of criminological theory that have addressed the social and environmental factors that contribute to crime patterns, hotspots, and risk terrains. The second part details the technical steps for analysts to take in using ArcGIS software to develop risk terrain maps. The third and final part presents ideas of how RTM works in strategic and tactical decision-making, particularly within the context of the ACTION model for risk-based intelligence-led policing. With this manual, analysts can produce risk terrain maps that give actionable meaning to the relationships that exist between place-based indicators and crime outcomes. Planners can use this approach to develop strategic models to forecast where crime problems are likely to emerge and to engage in steps that might reduce risks of crime occurring in the future.

Details: Newark, NJ: Rutgers Center on Public Security, 2010. 122p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2011 at: http://www.rutgerscps.org/rtm/

Year: 2010

Country: United States

URL: http://www.rutgerscps.org/rtm/

Shelf Number: 121245

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Geographic Information Systems
Risk Assessment

Author: Burgess, Melissa

Title: Understanding Crime Hotspot Maps

Summary: The distribution of crime across a region is not random. A number of factors influence where crime occurs, including the physical and social characteristics of the place and the people using the place. Crime mapping can show us where the high crime areas are and help to provide an understanding of the factors that affect the distribution and frequency of crime. This knowledge can help improve crime prevention policies and programs. For example, it can help us to anticipate at-risk places, times and people; direct law enforcement resources; allocate victim services; design the most suitable crime prevention strategies; and so forth. This brief provides a description of how the Bureau’s Local Government Area crime hotspot maps are produced and how they should be interpreted.

Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2011. 8p.

Source: Internet Resource: Issues Paper No. 60: Accessed May 16, 2011 at: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/bb60.pdf/$file/bb60.pdf

Year: 2011

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/bb60.pdf/$file/bb60.pdf

Shelf Number: 121722

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Hotspots
Crime Mapping
High Crime Areas

Author: Winokur. Kristin Parsons

Title: Targeting Delinquency Prevention Services to High-Risk Youth and Neighborhoods: An Assessment of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Prevention and Victim Services' Geo-Mapping Techniques

Summary: The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is required by statute to administer prevention and intervention services to at-risk youths and their families. At approximately $62 million in fiscal year 2001-02, funding for prevention programs accounts for less than ten percent of the more than $619 million allocated to DJJ annually. In order to make efficient use of limited resources in the face of increasing needs for service, the DJJ Prevention and Victim Services branch (hereafter referred to generally as DJJ) developed a prevention strategy to: 􀂾 Target youth who are at highest risk for engaging in criminal behavior. 􀂾 Locate resources in communities with the greatest risk factors. 􀂾 Employ research-based prevention methods. Prevention program allocation in Florida is therefore a two-pronged approach to identify (a) youth and (b) communities with the greatest risk factors and needs for service. The DJJ relies upon the research literature to inform the process of identifying at-risk youth. Prevention and Victim Services, with the assistance of DJJ research staff, then utilize geo-mapping technology to identify and map neighborhoods where large concentrations of high-risk delinquents reside. These "high-risk" communities are mapped by zip code boundaries. Prevention program providers can then identify the areas that are most in need of services. This targeting approach has been in place for the last three years and the Department has asked that an outside evaluator, The Justice Research Center (JRC), assess its validity. This report presents the findings of the evaluation and covers only contracted general revenue and state grant funded prevention programs.

Details: Tallahassee, FL: Justice Research Center and Deptartment of Juvenile Justice, 2004. 28p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 15, 2011 at: http://www.thejrc.com/docs/DJJ%20Zip%20Code%20Final%20Report%20PDF.pdf

Year: 2004

Country: United States

URL: http://www.thejrc.com/docs/DJJ%20Zip%20Code%20Final%20Report%20PDF.pdf

Shelf Number: 122385

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Geographic Profiling
High Crime Areas
Juvenile Delinquency Prevention (Florida)
Juvenile Offenders

Author: Weisburd, David

Title: Understanding Developmental Crime Trajectories at Places: Social Disorganization and Opportunity Perspectives at Micro Units of Geography

Summary: Individuals and communities have traditionally been the focus of criminological research, but recently criminologists have begun to explore the importance of “micro” places (e.g. addresses, street segments, and clusters of street segments) in understanding and controlling crime. Recent research provides strong evidence that crime is strongly clustered at hot spots and that there are important developmental trends of crime at place, but little is known about the geographic distribution of these patterns or the specific correlates of crime at this micro level of geography. We report here on a large empirical study that sought to address these gaps in our knowledge of the “criminology of place.” Linking 16 years of official crime data on street segments (a street block between two intersections) in Seattle, Washington to a series of data sets examining social and physical characteristics of micro places over time, we examine not only the geography of developmental patterns of crime at place but also the specific factors that are related to different trajectories of crime. We use two key criminological perspectives, social disorganization theories and opportunity theories, to inform our identification of risk factors in our study and then contrast the impacts of these perspectives in the context of multivariate statistical models. Our first major research question concerns whether social disorganization and opportunity measures vary across micro units of geography, and whether they are clustered, like crime, into “hot spots.” Study variables reflecting social disorganization include property value, housing assistance, race, voting behavior, unsupervised teens, physical disorder, and urbanization. Measures representing opportunity theories include the location of public facilities, street lighting, public transportation, street networks, land use, and business sales. We find strong clustering of such traits into social disorganization and opportunity “hot spots,” as well as significant spatial heterogeneity. We use group-based trajectory modeling to identify eight broad developmental patterns across street segments in Seattle. Our findings in this regard follow an earlier NIJ study that identified distinct developmental trends (e.g. high increasing and high decreasing patterns) while noting the overall stability of crime trends for the majority of street segments in Seattle. We go beyond the prior study by carefully examining the geography of the developmental crime patterns observed. We find evidence of strong heterogeneity of trajectory patterns at street segments with, for example, the presence of chronic trajectory street segments throughout the city. There is also strong street to street variability in crime patterns, though there is some clustering of trajectory patterns in specific areas. Our findings suggest that area trends influence micro level trends (suggesting the relevance of community level theories of crime). Nonetheless, they also show that the bulk of variability at the micro place level is not explained by trends at larger geographic levels. In identifying risk factors related to developmental trajectories, we find confirmation of both social disorganization and opportunity theories. Overall, street segments evidencing higher social disorganization are also found to have higher levels of crime. For many social disorganization measures increasing trends of social disorganization over time were associated with increasing trajectory patterns of crime. Similarly, in the case of opportunity measures related to motivated offenders, suitable crime targets, and their accessibility, we find that greater opportunities for crime are found at street segments in higher rate trajectory patterns. Finally, we use multinomial logistic regression to simultaneously examine opportunity and social disorganization factors and their influence on trajectory patterns. The most important finding here is that both perspectives have considerable salience in understanding crime at place, and together they allow us to develop a very strong level of prediction of crime. Our work suggests it is time to consider an approach to the crime problem that begins not with the people who commit crime but with the micro places where crimes are committed. This is not the geographic units of communities or police beats that have generally been the focus of crime prevention, but it is a unit of analysis that is key to understanding crime and its development.

Details: Final report to the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2009. 379p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 5, 2011 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/236057.pdf

Year: 2009

Country: United States

URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/236057.pdf

Shelf Number: 122991

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Hot Spots
Crime Locations
Crime Mapping
Geographic Studies
High Crime Areas

Author: Paulsen, Derek

Title: Survey and Evaluation of Online Crime Mapping Companies

Summary: The purpose of this research is to provide a baseline assessment of the state of the online crime mapping field. Specifically, this report is designed to determine how many online crime mapping companies there are, the basic functions and services they provide, and the accuracy with which they re-produce the local crime data of a police agency. Seven different online mapping companies were identified and canvassed on a number of topics relating to their businesses. In addition to basic information about customer base, questions were asked concerning data acquisition, data integrity, and data archiving. Results indicate that there is a range of online mapping company types, each with a slightly different focus or market. These online mapping companies are effective in handling data uploading, data validation, secure data storage, and how they handle complaints and service issues. Finally, the various online mapping companies analyzed are providing accurate data, with over 80% of all errors being within 300 feet of incident locations. In addition to these findings, recommendations are made for areas of future study and research.

Details: North Charleston, South Carolina: SCRA Applied R&D, 2012. 25p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2012 at https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/239908.pdf

Year: 2012

Country: United States

URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/239908.pdf

Shelf Number: 127246

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping

Author: Ratcliffe, J.H.

Title: The Philadelphia Foot Patrol Experiment: A randomized controlled trial of police patrol effectiveness in violent crime hotspots

Summary: Originating with the Newark foot patrol experiment, research has found police foot patrols improve community perception of the police and reduce fear of crime, but are generally unable to reduce the incidence of crime. Previous tests of foot patrol have, however, suffered from statistical and measurement issues and have not fully explored potential dynamics of deterrence within micro‐spatial settings. In this paper we report on the efforts of over 200 foot patrol officers during the summer of 2009 in Philadelphia. GIS analysis was the basis for a randomized controlled trial of police effectiveness across 60 violent crime hotspots. Results identified a significant reduction in the level of treatment area violent crime after 12 weeks. A linear regression model with separate slopes fitted for treatment and control groups clarified the relationship further. Even after accounting for natural regression to the mean, target areas in the top 40% on pre‐treatment violent crime counts had significantly less violent crime during the operational period. Target areas outperformed the control sites by 23 percent, resulting in a total net effect (once displacement was considered) of 53 violent crimes prevented. The results suggest that targeted foot patrols in violent crime hotspots can significantly reduce violent crime levels as long as a threshold level of violence exists initially. The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the contribution of hotspots and place‐based policing to the reduction of crime, and especially violent crime, a significant public health threat in the United States. We suggest that intensive foot patrol efforts in violent hotspots may achieve deterrence at a micro‐spatial level, primarily by increasing the certainty of disruption, apprehension and arrest. The theoretical and practical implications for violence reduction are discussed.

Details: Philadelphia: Temple University, 2013. 25p.

Source: Internet Resource: Final Draft: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://www.temple.edu/cj/footpatrolproject/documents/PFPE_full_paper.pdf

Year: 2013

Country: United States

URL: http://www.temple.edu/cj/footpatrolproject/documents/PFPE_full_paper.pdf

Shelf Number: 129509

Keywords:
Crime Hotspots (Philadelphia, U.S.)
Crime Mapping
Foot Patrol
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Police Patrol
Violent Crime

Author: Carter, David C.

Title: Homicide Process Mapping: Best Practices for Increasing Homicide Clearances

Summary: Since 1990, the number of homicides committed in the United States has dropped over 30 percent. While this is a positive trend, it is somewhat counter-balanced by another trend: in the mid-1970s, the average homicide clearance rate in the United States was around 80 percent. Today, that number has dropped to 65 percent - hence, more offenders are literally getting away with murder. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), recognizes that the problem of violence in the United States requires a multifaceted approach. In a coordinated initiative of projects, BJA has examined the manner in which trends in violence are identified by law enforcement for tactical purposes, reviewed how cutting-edge analysis and the integration of resources can disrupt trends in violent crime, and examined two decades of violence-reduction initiatives to determine what works. Based on lessons learned, new initiatives are explored, such as the Law Enforcement Forecasting Group (LEFG), which produced a paper on the importance of the analytic process for crime control (tactically) and resource allocation for crime reduction (strategically). Collectively, the lessons from these initiatives - and other initiatives by BJA and companion OJP components - provide guidance on new avenues to explore. Based on the findings from these projects, one of the focal points in violence suppression initiatives that BJA explored was the most efficacious method to manage homicide investigations. Two paths were used toward this end. The current project on Homicide Process Mapping focused on investigative practices. A companion project by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), 10 Things Law Enforcement Executives Can Do to Positively Impact Homicide Investigation Outcomes, focused on the administrative environment in support of homicide investigations. Both are essential for successful investigations. The purpose of this project was to identify best practices in homicide investigations that will result in an increase in homicide clearance rates. To accomplish this goal, seven geographically representative law enforcement agencies were identified that had at least 24 homicides in 2011 and had a clearance rate of 80 percent or higher. In addition, because the first 48 hours of a homicide investigation are critical, the project identified critical tasks in the first 48 hours of the investigation that increase the probability of a clearance. The selected agencies, both municipal and county, were the Baltimore County, Maryland, Police Department; the Denver, Colorado, Police Department; the Houston, Texas, Police Department; the Jacksonville, Florida, Sheriff's Office; the Richmond, Virginia, Police Department; the Sacramento County, California, Sheriff's Department; and the San Diego, California, Police Department. Each site was visited by two experienced homicide investigators and a police researcher who conducted interviews and reviewed documents. Interviews were conducted with the homicide commander, homicide supervisors, homicide investigators, and other personnel who each department believed were important in aiding successful homicide investigations. Following the collection of all information, the findings were broken down into strategic and tactical issues. Each of these is discussed in this report from a policy implementation perspective. This is followed by a summary of homicide investigation best practices that at least two agencies reported using. The report concludes with a process map that identifies critical investigative tasks to be performed in the first 48 hours after a homicide is reported. The process map is the product of a detailed analysis and integration of the processes used by the agencies in this project. While many factors contributed to successful homicide investigations, including some creative practices, there was one overarching factor: all of the agencies visited had laid a strong foundation of trust with the community and a strong foundation of cooperation and information sharing with other law enforcement agencies. Without this foundation, success will be limited.

Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assi3tance, 2013. 67p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 11, 2013 at: http://www.iir.com/Documents/Homicide_Process_Mapping_September_email.pdf

Year: 2013

Country: United States

URL: http://www.iir.com/Documents/Homicide_Process_Mapping_September_email.pdf

Shelf Number: 131618

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Criminal Investigation
Homicides (U.S.)
Violent Crimes

Author: Harrell, Kim

Title: The Predictive Accuracy of Hotspot Mapping of Robbery over Time and Space

Summary: Police forces use hotspot mapping to provide a targeted approach to resource allocation, ensuring police officers are despatched to areas of high crime where their presence will have the most impact. Hotspot intelligence products are reliant on crime data sourced from police databases, and positional errors in this data will have an impact on the accuracy of the hotspot maps produced. The location of crime hotspots varies across both space and time. Despite this the use of temporal information is still rare because of the difficulties in pinpointing crime to an exact point in time, though crimes involving attended property provide the opportunity to record time more accurately. This research aimed to evaluate both the impact positional errors and the addition of temporal information have on the predictive accuracy of hotspot mapping of crime that inherently occurs in outdoor or public places through the utilisation of robbery data. Using robbery data recorded during a 24 month period (1st April 2011 - 31st March 2013) in the West Midlands Police Local Policing Unit of Birmingham South, the number and magnitude of positional errors present in the raw data was measured based on the Euclidean distance between recorded and actual locations of robbery offences. Positional errors ranging between 1 - 3766 metres were responsible for the suppression of a number of high intensity hotspots in the study area, and only 31% of all robberies had been allocated to the correct geographical location. To determine the influence of temporal information a mid-point measurement date was employed, and the ability of the retrospective robbery hotspots to predict the location of prospective robbery events measured, based on police shift periods, days of the week and spatial data alone. The results suggest that shift periods provide the best prospect for police forces utilising temporal information to improve the predictive ability of hotspot maps. Care needs to be taken to select a large enough dataset that will ensure sufficient clustering of crime points, and further research could be extended to incorporate different crime types.

Details: Manchester, UK: University of Salford, Manchester, 2014. 159p.

Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 14, 2015

Year: 2014

Country: United Kingdom

URL:

Shelf Number: 137769

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Clusters
Crime Forecasting
Crime Hotspots
Crime Mapping
Robbery

Author: Warner, Todd C.

Title: Mapping Mobility of Individuals Arrested for Misdemeanors in New York City, 2006-2014

Summary: This study, Mapping Mobility of Individuals Arrested for Misdemeanors in New York City, 2006-2014, aims to inform the NYPD, other criminal justice agencies, social service providers, and community organizations on the geographical allocation of resources for better law enforcement, crime prevention, and community supervision. Key findings from the report are as follows. -In 2014, almost half (48.5 percent) of all individuals arrested for a misdemeanor were arrested outside of their home precinct. Furthermore, if an individual was arrested outside of their home precinct, the arrest most often occurred in an adjacent precinct. -In 2014, almost half (44.6 percent) of all individuals arrested for a misdemeanor in Manhattan did not live in that borough. For other boroughs, individuals arrested there were much more likely to live in that borough: the Bronx (80.8 percent), Brooklyn (83.0 percent), Queens (73.3 percent), and Staten Island (87.0 percent). -In 2014, among home precinct arrests, the most frequent charges were crimes against a person (24.5 percent) and offenses related to marijuana (16.8 percent). -In 2014, of arrests that occurred outside the home precinct, the most frequent charges were property and theft-related (17.7 percent) and vehicle and driving-related (17.2 percent).

Details: New York: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2016. 116p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 8, 2016 at: http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/report/MobilitymobilityReport.pdf

Year: 2016

Country: United States

URL: http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/report/MobilitymobilityReport.pdf

Shelf Number: 139317

Keywords:
Arrest Rates
Arrests
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Crime Rates
Misdemeanors

Author: Mohler, George O.

Title: Randomized controlled field trials of predictive policing

Summary: The concentration of police resources in stable crime hotspots has proven effective in reducing crime, but the extent to which police can disrupt dynamically changing crime hotspots is unknown. Police must be able to anticipate the future location of dynamic hotspots to disrupt them. Here we report results of two randomized controlled trials of near real-time Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) crime forecasting, one trial within three divisions of the Los Angeles Police Department and the other trial within two divisions of the Kent Police Department (UK). We investigate the extent to which i) ETAS models of short term crime risk outperform existing best practice of hotspot maps produced by dedicated crime analysts, ii) police officers in the field can dynamically patrol predicted hotspots given limited resources, and iii) crime can be reduced by predictive policing algorithms under realistic law enforcement resource constraints. While previous hotspot policing experiments fix treatment and control hotspots throughout the experimental period, we use a novel experimental design to allow treatment and control hotspots to change dynamically over the course of the experiment. Our results show that ETAS models predict 1.4-2.2 times as much crime compared to a dedicated crime analyst using existing criminal intelligence and hotspot mapping practice. Police patrols using ETAS forecasts led to a average 7.4% reduction in crime volume as a function of patrol time, whereas patrols based upon analyst predictions showed no significant effect. Dynamic police patrol in response to ETAS crime forecasts can disrupt opportunities for crime and lead to real crime reductions.

Details: Unpublished paper, 2015. 30p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2016 at: http://paleo.sscnet.ucla.edu/MohlerEtAl-2015-JASA-Predictive-InPress.pdf

Year: 2015

Country: United States

URL: http://paleo.sscnet.ucla.edu/MohlerEtAl-2015-JASA-Predictive-InPress.pdf

Shelf Number: 146052

Keywords:
Crime Forecasting
Crime Mapping
Criminal Intelligence
Hot Spots
Predictive Policing

Author: Meyer, William Debard

Title: Analyzing Crime on Street Networks: A Comparison of Network and Euclidean Voronoi Methods

Summary: he analysis of the uneven spatial distribution of crime has been an important area of research investigation and policy analysis for the past several decades. These analyses typically use spatial analytical methods that are based on the assumption of Euclidean (straight-line) distance. However, crime like most social activity is often mediated by the built environment, such as along a street or within a multi-story building. Thus, analyzing spatial patterns of crime with only straight-line Euclidean distance measurement ignores this intervening built landscape and may very possibly introduce error into the ensuing result. The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the differences in analytical results for spatial analysis techniques that have the capability to use either Euclidean or network distance. Voronoi diagrams which can be implemented utilizing either Euclidean distance or network distance (distance measured along a street) offer a means for performing this comparison. Utilizing Voronoi diagram implementations with Euclidean distance and network distance this thesis will examine the spatial distribution of gun-inflicted homicide locations and the similarity/differences between the results of their application with the aim of informing the spatial analysis of street located homicide.

Details: Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. 75p.

Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed October 21, 2016 at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/47563673_Analyzing_Crime_on_Street_Networks_A_Comparison_of_Network_and_Euclidean_Voronoi_Methods

Year: 2010

Country: United States

URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/47563673_Analyzing_Crime_on_Street_Networks_A_Comparison_of_Network_and_Euclidean_Voronoi_Methods

Shelf Number: 131166

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Crime Networks
Gun-Related Violence
Homicides
Spatial Analysis

Author: Iqbal, Asifa

Title: Assessment of crime and safety issues in parks

Summary: The aim of the thesis is to obtain a better understanding of the importance of parks for urban quality, particularly for safety. This is achieved in two ways; first, by assessing parks' impact on the perceived quality of the urban environment (whether it is incorporated into housing prices or not) in Stockholm. Second, the study investigates whether safety in parks may be assessed using principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) using a high-crime park in Stockholm's inner city. The thesis starts with an introduction to the theme, with a brief discussion of background theory, literature review, the study area and the methods. Then, it reports the results of the articles included in the thesis and discusses their main contributions to the field of research. A mixed methods approach utilizes both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Regression models and a Geographic Information System (GIS) were used in Paper I, which aims to clarify how park proximity affects housing prices and, when considering residential properties and park type, how crime rates in parks affect housing prices. Findings show that the further away an apartment is located from a park, the higher the discount on its price effect, but this effect (dependent on the park type), as an accumulated measure of parks, lowers prices or is negligible. Paper II assesses the use and adequacy of CPTED principles to guide the assessment of safety conditions of an urban park. The historical development of CPTED is presented followed by an analysis of a case study, Tantolunden, in Stockholm. Site observations, crime mapping, people count and interviews were conducted. Results show many entrances in this particular park defy the principles of access control and in turn impose limitations on park maintenance. Findings also show that interrupted sight lines create limited surveillance. The paper concludes by identifying the potentialities and challenges of CPTED principles when applied to safety in parks. Findings presented in this thesis are relevant for many stakeholders in society as results show the variation in crime and safety in urban parks, and the way they can be assessed and tackled.

Details: Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Department of Real Estate and Construction Management, 2015. 35p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 30, 2017 at: http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:861815/FULLTEXT04

Year: 2015

Country: Sweden

URL: http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:861815/FULLTEXT04

Shelf Number: 146422

Keywords:
Crime Mapping
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Design Against Crime
Geographic Information System (GIS)
High Crime Areas
Parks
Urban Areas

Author: McDevitt, Jack

Title: Police Technology

Summary: This report on police officers' views about technology in their agencies revealed some interesting results. While the majority of respondents reported that each of the technologies being studied (in-car cameras, crime mapping, and Tasers) were being used in their agencies, the way they were being used varied greatly. While the vast majority of officers reported having in-car cameras in their agency, very few reported that they were used in any routine way. In the case of crime mapping, 99 percent of respondents reported that their agency used crime mapping and that the mapping was used most often to identify crime patterns. In the case of Tasers, about three-quarters of the respondents reported that their agency used Tasers, often by a limited number of officers, and the results show very strong support for Tasers among survey respondents. This short survey illustrates the National Police Research Platform's proficiency in drilling down into a particular topic. With online surveys of employees, the Platform provides the ability to understand not only whether a particular technology is being used, but also how and why it is being used. Future surveys can explore a wide range of technology application in policing.

Details: Washington, DC: National police Research Platform, National Institute of Justice, 2011. 9p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 21, 2018 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/733761/10815712/1298056376703/Technology+2007-1.pdf?token=mcLjAE5LFeDOjYFDZL1%2BQffhTkQ%3D

Year: 2011

Country: United States

URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/733761/10815712/1298056376703/Technology+2007-1.pdf?token=mcLjAE5LFeDOjYFDZL1%2BQffhTkQ%3D

Shelf Number: 149195

Keywords:
Crime Mapping
In-Car Cameras
Police Officer Attitudes
Police Technology
Tasers

Author: Ulvi, Kun

Title: The Use of Geographic Information Systems by Law Enforcement Agencies and Its Impact on Police Performance

Summary: Do we know whether the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in law enforcement agencies increases police performance? This study examines the impact of GIS use to police performance outcomes in cities and counties of the U.S. between 2000 and 2007. Current research uses computerized mapping conceptualization to operationalize its measurement. Second, the police performance methodological context is used to measure the organizational impact of GIS. Finally, a new theoretical framework, information technology capacity that combines organizational, environmental and managerial factors to explain IT applications, is used to encompass most relevant dimensions of the subject matter. Findings indicate that the use of GIS in police agencies increased sharply between 2003 and 2007. Additionally, the contribution of GIS use on police performance was found to be statistically significant, but in the opposite direction. Overall, results of the present study indicate significant links between crime rate (DV) and independent variables (IV) in law enforcement agencies. IVs are having a professional form of government andfull time specialized crime analysis personnel, police strength, the use of GIS, population, being located in the Northeast and West regions, poverty, having encouraged SARA type projects and a community policing unit.

Details: Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014. 435p.

Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 30, 2018 at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4400&context=etd

Year: 2014

Country: United States

URL: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4400&context=etd

Shelf Number: 149967

Keywords:
Community Policing
Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping
Geographic Information Systems
Police Effectiveness
Police Performance
Police Technology

Author: Plan International

Title: Unsafe in the City: Sydney

Summary: Free to Be is a crowd-mapping website that enables young women to identify and share the location of public spaces that make them feel uneasy and scared or happy and safe, implemented in Sydney in April-May 2018. It was designed in collaboration with Crowdspot, Monash University XYX Lab and young women within the city. Based on Plan International's extensive experience of working with girls and young women in cities through our Safer Cities programme, the research sought to understand more about the experiences of girls and young women. As well as Sydney, Free to Be has been implemented in Delhi, Kampala, Lima, Madrid and Melbourne. The Free to Be tool comprised an interactive map of the city and a survey which allowed girls and young women to drop 'pins' on the map - good or bad - and answer questions about their experiences there, as well as leave comments. A group of young women in Sydney were involved in the design and promotion of the tool, as well as having an opportunity to reflect on the findings to support analysis. In total, 2,083 pins were dropped on spots of the Sydney map, of which 25% denoted good experiences (516) and 75% bad (1,567). Good places were characterised by being busy, often with working people. This was closely followed by the place having a good 'community environment' or being well known to the participant. The threat of sexual harassment with and without physical contact was the main issue identified in connection with bad pins. Over two-thirds of the comments on bad pins included sexual harassment of some kind and 63% of all the pins identified gender-based discrimination as a factor. Discrimination based on ethnicity was identified in 10% of the pins (the highest of all the cities), usually alongside gender discrimination, highlighting the intersectional nature of discrimination and harassment in Sydney. On the street was the most likely location for bad pins, often alongside to/from work or school and public transport. Strong negative clusters tended to form around train stations and bus interchanges. These data demonstrate the compromised freedom for young women and girls moving around their city. Harassment directed at young women and girls, and especially those of the LGBTIQA community, is apparently exacerbated by the lockout laws in Sydney, and the lack of public transport available at corresponding hours. This indicates the complexity of access to, and safety in, the city - an intervention brought in to protect one part of the community increased the pressure on others. Women and girls change their behaviour in response to these challenges: nearly half of those recording bad pins (47%) avoided the area if they were alone and 12% simply never went back to the location. When asked how they responded to bad incidents, 20 participants reported that they stopped studying or quit their job because of their experiences. For more than a third of all the pins (36%), young women were resigned to the fact that such incidents are so frequent that they are used to it. Consequently, they take their own precautions such as walking fast through such areas with their phones at the ready. Reporting of events to the authorities was low at 9%, and in more than two-thirds of these cases (69%), the authorities apparently did nothing. Based on these findings, young women in Sydney made the following recommendations: 1) Behaviour change: - Changing the blame culture: listen to and act upon the stories of women and girls - Challenging toxic masculinity - Allies and bystanders: empowering them to call out harassment and intervene safely 2) Girls' participation in decision-making: listen to and work with girls and young women, respect their experiences and recommendations, and involve them in co-designing their cities. 3) Enforcement and accountability: - Strengthening reporting mechanisms - Improving the responsiveness of security services and the police - Clarification of laws and enforcement regarding street harassment

Details: Melbourne: Plan International, 2018. 21p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2018 at: http://apo.org.au/system/files/196691/apo-nid196691-1025636.pdf

Year: 2018

Country: Australia

URL: http://apo.org.au/system/files/196691/apo-nid196691-1025636.pdf

Shelf Number: 153246

Keywords:
Crime Analysis
Crime Hotspots
Crime Mapping
Fear of Crime
Public Safety
Sexual Assault
Sexual Harassment
Violence Against Women