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Spring 2003 Search ArcNews In Lincoln, Nebraska, Police Make Connections Through Geographic Location The Lincoln Police Department (LPD) uses CrimeView, an ArcView extension, to convert tabular data into geographic visual displays that can generate discussion of current trends, known offenders, suspects, specific crimes, and intelligence. Such crime incident maps graphically reveal where specific kinds of offenses have been concentrated. LPD then strategically deploys officers to target these crime pattern areas. With a metropolitan police department of more than 300 sworn officers and more than 100 civilian employees serving a city with a population in excess of 225,000, it would be understandable if police managers focused on administrative matters such as budget, personnel, local politics, equipment purchases, and revision of department procedures and policies. However, "Police work is about solving crimes, preventing crimes, and protecting the quality of life in neighborhoods," says Tom Casady, chief of police, Lincoln, Nebraska. As far as Chief Casady is concerned, the mission of the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) is crime prevention and reduction, and a focus on these issues by management is essential to success. Chief Casady believes that maintaining focus on the mission requires that the crime fighting expertise and knowledge of his officers be systematically applied to the analysis of crime data. LPD has long believed that its officers on the streets are the best at investigating and clearing cases. As the chief puts it, "He or she is the one who knows the local places and is out there mixing it up with the victims, offenders, convenience store clerks, cab drivers, and street kids." Therefore, when it comes to focusing on crime analysis, the officer "is the one who needs to know that the offense he or she just worked is related to several other reports." | |
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