Website provides crime stats

Jen Lawson

Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

A more user-friendly crime mapping system has been added to the Metro Police website, allowing the public to find out when and where crime has been reported.

Metro has also put locations of current vehicle crashes and traffic problems on its site, which is updated every 15 minutes.

Both systems were created due to public demand, Metro spokesman Lt. Vincent Cannito said.

"A lot of people have asked us for stats on crime, and it becomes cumbersome at times," Cannito said, adding that the traffic incident system is expected to reduce the number of phone calls made to the dispatch center from people requesting information on crashes and traffic.

The crime mapping searches are backdated one week, and are limited to a 60-day period. The one-week delay allows detectives to review each case and assign concrete classifications to the crimes.

Cannito said the crime mapping system might be useful for people who are thinking about moving to a certain area and want to know if it is safe. Searches can also be done by school names.

Both systems were developed at minimal cost, Cannito said.

"It wasn't costly or time-consuming. We were able to use the software we already had," he said.