More Fun with Maps
The Star-News is now offering an interactive crime map (currently in beta testing), so fearful and paranoid Wilmingtonians can see where crimes have been committed in the last 30 days. Hey, is that a breaking and entering in my neighborhood? Better get a dog. Is that a bomb threat down the road? Better call Homeland Security. Is that a larceny from auto? Better get The Club. But wait, can’t the paper of record co-op the fire department by letting us know where fires have ignited? What about an interactive map showing DUI busts or drug arrests? How about Homeowners’ Association offenders? It’d be great to learn which Landfall homes aren’t cutting their lawns to regulation height. Wrightsville Beach condo owners who haven’t paid their electric bills? The fun never stops. Get on it Star-News!
Your Star-News must be taking cues from our humble rag, The Napa Valley Register. The online version of the paper posts daily this trifecta: monthly DUI listings (these would be convictions or plead out cases), a weekly crime map & a most wanted list complete with photos, bail amount, crime committed, physical description & last known address. As far as I can tell we’re no safer today from the drunk drivers, petty criminals & known felons among us despite their front page notoriety.
I just heard this interesting interview Jon Udell gave about crime mapping with Greg Whisenant, the creator of crimereports.com. (Jon’s interviews on IT Conversations are all great — I’m a huge fan. See “Socially innovative uses of technology” for a list of popular podcasts he’s done this year.)
Udell and Whiseant are reasonable dudes, and have a different perspective about crime data and mapping. Not sure quite what my feeling is, but their attitudes were useful to take in. They talk a lot about chicagocrime.org, which was apparently a watershed in this area. Whisenant’s company is much more focused on helping the police integrate and visualize their own data for their own purposes, and only then (maybe) making it available “downstream” to users like ourselves, who may find Things To Do With It or may, as they hope, help law enforcement with a job that’s overrun their capacity.