COMPUTER DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF POLICE PATROL BEATS

• NCJ Number: 2245
• Author(s): N B HELLER; B PHEGLEY; J ROTHER; K SCHMIDT
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 38 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 38TH NATL MEETING OF THE OPERATIONS RESEARCH SOCIETY OF AMERICA, DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Annotation

PARTITIONING POLICE DISTRICTS INTO PATROL BEATS DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS, CONVENIENCE AND EQUALITY OF THE WORKLOAD.

Abstract

CRIME STATISTICS AND FORECASTS OF CALLED-FOR-SERVICE WORKLOAD ARE SUGGESTED AS INPUT TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM, THE PROGRAM USES POLITICAL DISTRICTING TECHNIQUES AND PARTITIONS A POLICE DISTRICT'S REPORTING AREAS INTO A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF BEATS. THE DESIGN CRITERIA INCLUDE BALANCED WORKLOAD AND CRIMELOAD, COMPACTNESS, AND CONTIQUITY. A COMPUTER SIMULATOR, USING ACTUAL TIME SERIES DATA ON THE ARRIVAL AND SERVICING OF CALLS, IS USED TO EVALUATE HOW WELL A GIVEN BEAT PLAN WOULD HAVE HELD UP DURING THE PERIODS FROM WHICH THE DATA WERE COLLECTED. OUTPUT FROM THE SIMULATOR INCLUDES THE FRACTION OF THEIR TOTAL SERVICE TIME CARS WORK IN THEIR OWN BEATS, OVERALL READINESS, AND RESPONSE DELAY. DESIGN AND EVALUATION ARE ILLUSTRATED FOR A POLICE DISTRICT IN ST. LOUIS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) BIBLIOGRAPHY