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Mapping in Police Agencies: Beyond This Point There Be Monsters

NCJ Number
219220
Author(s)
Lawrence F. Travis III; Kenneth D. Hughes
Date Published
August 2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper examines why law enforcement agencies in the United States have not adopted and utilized computerized crime mapping and how to facilitate and increase its utilization in the analysis of crime data.
Abstract
There is ample evidence that problem analysis that includes mapping is an effective means of directing police activities. However, this evidence tends to be both problem- and site-specific. While computerized crime mapping might help an agency to deal with some specific problems, such as robbery, loitering, vandalism, and drug sales, there is little information on how the technology (and proactive approach) affects the organization. Specific problems are well-known threats. New technology, decentralized decisionmaking, openness with the community, taking responsibility for prevention, and other changes associated with data-driven management are today’s demons. To encourage the use of mapping, one must first encourage a proactive and preventive approach to policing. Relatively few law enforcement agencies use computerized mapping, and fewer still are taking advantage of its full potential. There are two reasons for this. First, the computerized mapping, as a relatively recent law enforcement development, is in an early stage of the innovation cycle. The diffusion of innovation takes some time with the spread proceeding slowly at first. Second, the computerized crime mapping, despite its potential, remains a largely unexplored area that may present unforeseen problems for law enforcement agencies and executives. References