Crime Analysis Division
What is Crime Analysis?
Crime analysis is defined as a set of systematic, analytical processes directed at providing timely and pertinent information relative to crime patterns and trend correlations to assist the operational and administrative personnel in planning the deployment of resources for the prevention and suppression of criminal activities, aiding the investigative process, and increasing apprehensions and the clearance of cases. Within this context, crime analysis supports a number of department functions including patrol deployment, special operations, tactical units, investigations, research and planning, crime prevention, and administrative services such as budgeting and program planning. Crime analysis remains one of the most effective tools available to support law enforcement today.
There are three (3) types of crime analysis: administrative, strategic, and tactical.
ADMINISTRATIVE - deals with long-range comparisons (quarterly, semi-annually or annually). Examples of administrative crime analysis tasks include: providing economic, geographic, and law enforcement information to police management, City Administration, City Council, and neighborhood/citizen groups.
STRATEGIC - is primarily concerned with operational strategies and seeks solutions to ongoing problems (weeks, months, quarters or years). The purpose of strategic crime analysis is to perform police service more effectively and efficiently by matching service delivery to demands for service.
TACTICAL - deals with immediate criminal offenses (immediate, hours, days, weeks). It promotes a quick response to recent offenses such as burglaries and robberies. The tactical crime analysis provides information to assist operational personnel in the identification of crime trends and in the arrest of criminal offenders.
How are crimes reported?
When a citizen becomes aware of criminal activity whether as a victim or a witness, they may call 9-1-1 to report it. That is referred to as a "call for service." After an officer is dispatched to investigate the incident, they may file a report, and the compilation of those reports is referred to as "reported crime." Analysis of calls for service provides an unfiltered view of what crimes are being reported to police, and with automated dispatch systems, the data is much more current. Police reports provide much greater information about the details of criminal activity, but not all reports are entered and available for analysis immediately. This site provides call for service information for those interested in evaluating local apartment complexes, and further analysis of police reports. Other sources of crime analysis may focus on arrests or on the number of reported crimes "cleared" by the arrest of a suspect, criminal convictions, or sentences rendered.Why map crime?
Mapping crime can help law enforcement agencies protect citizens more effectively in the areas they serve. Simple maps that display the locations where crimes or concentrations of crimes have occurred can be used to help direct patrols to places they are most needed. Policy makers in police departments might use more complex maps to observe trends in criminal activity, and maps may prove invaluable in solving criminal cases. For example, detectives may use maps to better understand the patterns of serial criminals and to hypothesize where these offenders might live.
Using maps that help people visualize the geographic aspects of crime, however, is not limited to law enforcement personnel. Mapping can provide specific information on crime and criminal behavior to elected officials, the media, and the community.
