NCJ Number
183989
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 52-55
Date Published
June 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The advent of crime-mapping technology and Internet access to crime maps involves both challenges and benefits; police, analysts, academicians, and the media agree that continued dialogue and evaluation are needed on how Internet access to crime maps affects public safety.
Abstract
Maps can provide an unprecedented level of detailed crime information. However, real estate agents, convicted sex offenders, and some police are concerned about the potential negative impacts of public access to these maps. In contrast, community activists and concerned citizens want as specific information as possible. Small and large cities, counties, and States in all parts of the country are putting their crime maps on the Web. The websites vary widely with respect to the information displayed, the timeliness of the data, and the map quality. Excellent examples of websites with crime maps are those of Vacaville, Calif., Sacramento, Calif., and Cambridge, Mass. Agencies establishing Internet crime maps should consider their goals, whether the maps will be interactive or static, and other issues. Illustration