Crime Mapping Archives

Heat Maps in GIS

Heat mapping, from a GIS perspective, is a method of showing the geographic clustering of a phenomenon.

Geolocation Data, Geofencing Warrants, and Crime

With most adults carrying mobile devices that have GPS tracking capabilities, mapping our movements has never been easier.

Using GIS to Map and Track Vandalism

by Mark Altaweel

GIS is being used to better understand current and potentially future patterns of vandalism.

Using GIS to Assess Crime Risk

by Mark Altaweel

The use of GIS and spatial analysis has become an important tool in understanding crime patterns.

From Davies et al., 2016: "the results show good qualitative agreement, with 26 of the 33 boroughs showing rioter percentages in the same or adjacent bands as the data. The remaining discrepancy may be accounted for by factors specific to the London disorder, such as communication between groups, other activity patterns occurring at the time, or social factors beyond the scope of this work. "

GIS and Anti-Crime Measures

by Mark Altaweel

This article takes a look at methods which demonstrate the wide and growing field of crime prevention utilizing spatial and GIS approaches.

Geographic pattern of illegal border crossings. Source: Rossmo, et al., 2008).

Using GIS to Map Drug Trafficking

by Mark Altaweel

GIS has significantly aided police in crime prevention, notably in fighting drug trafficking.

Is GIS Use in Crime Analysis Effective at Curbing Crime?

by Caitlin Dempsey

A new study by researchers at Sam Houston State University found that the use of GIS is widespread in analyzing crime data but that almost no … Read more

Crime Mapping and Analysis

by Caitlin Dempsey

The advent of easy-to-use GIS applications has allowed crime mapping and analysis to flourish within law enforcement agencies.

Crime Mapping and the Los Angeles Police

by Caitlin Dempsey

The Los Angeles Police Department’s attempts at providing public mapping has not been without its issues and embarrassments. Chronicled here are the various issues and … Read more

Geographic Profiling

by Caitlin Dempsey

The geographic profiling concept proposes that criminals tend to commit acts of crimes within a comfort zone located near but not too close to their residence.

Crime Mapping: GIS Goes Mainstream

by Caitlin Dempsey

“I can cut crime in half in any city in this country.” So uttered are the first words of Police Chief Jack Mannion, played by Craig T. Nelson in CBS’ new series “The District”. The premise of this new show is an aggressive Police Chief who uses innovative tactics to reduce crime through analysis involving mapping. The first shows ends with Mannion unveiling COMPSTAT, a crime-mapping tool that allows the fictional Washington D.C. police department the ability to view crime patterns. While the show is fictional, it is loosely based on the real-life events of former New York Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Maple. COMPSTAT is also a real-life crime program, which was first created by the New York City Police and Transit Authority to help cut crime. During his short-tenure, Jack Maple was able to help turn New York from a crime-ridden city to a place where people felt comfortable jogging in Central Park again.