COMPUTER MAPPING - A NEW TECHNIQUE IN CRIME ANALYSIS (REPRINT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PROCEEDINGS, FIRST NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON LAW) ENFORCEMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 1967

• NCJ Number: 199
• Author(s): G A PAULY; S J FINCH
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): OLEA-039; OLEA-67-009
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, V 1 (1967)

Annotation

NEW MAPPING TECHNIQUES USING COMPUTERS CAN PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AVAILABLE POLICE MANPOWER.

Abstract

WHILE POLICE MANPOWER ALLOCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM, IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY SERIOUS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. ADDING MORE MEN BECOMES WASTEFUL AND USELESS AFTER A CERTAIN POINT. USING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, THE ST. LOUIS POLICE HAVE DIVIDED THE CITY INTO AREAS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TRANSLATE STATISTICAL DATA INTO MEANINGFUL AND USEFUL INFORMATION. THIS ALLOWS THE CONCENTRATION OF PREVENTIVE PATROLS WITHIN A DISTRICT OR OTHER GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. THE DISTRICTS ARE DIVIDED ON A PREDETERMINED BASIS AND PROGRAMMED INTO THE COMPUTER. THIS SYSTEM ALLOWED A DIVISION OF FORCES FROM THE PATROL UNIT INTO TWO UNITS; ONE TO ANSWER CALLS FOR SERVICE AND A SECOND UNIT FOR CRIME PREVENTION. BY USING THE PREDICTIVE ABILITIES MEN NOT NEEDED TO ANSWER SERVICE CALLS CAN BE USED IN PREVENTIVE PATROL. USING THIS SYSTEM THERE IS ALMOST NO POSSIBILITY OF A SITUATION IN WHICH ALL PATROL MEN ARE TIED UP ON CALLS WITH NONE AVAILABLE FOR PATROL. THIS SEPARATION PERMITS A CONCENTRATION OF MANPOWER TO CRIME PREVENTION.