ence a reduction in crime rates.

Their findings should come Crime Mapping

as no great surprise: it seems logical that well-lit streets
Criminologists are now using crime maps to create graphic rep-
would have fewer robberies and thefts because (a) criminals
resentations of the spatial geography of crime. Computerized
could not conceal their efforts under the cover of darkness,
crime maps allow criminologists to analyze and correlate a wide
and (b) potential victims could take evasive action if they
array of data to create immediate, detailed visuals of crime pat-
saw a suspicious-looking person lurking about. The meta-
terns. The most simple maps display crime locations or concen-
analysis produced an unusual finding: improving lighting
trations and can be used, for example, to help law enforcement
caused the crime rate to go down during the day just as
agencies increase the effectiveness of their patrol efforts. More
much as it did during the night! Obviously, the crime-reduc-
complex maps can be used to chart trends in criminal activ-
ing effect of streetlights had little to do with illuminating the
ity. For example, criminologists might be able to determine if
streets. Farrington and Welsh speculate that improved street
certain neighborhoods in a city have significantly higher crime
lighting increases community pride and solidarity, and the
result of this newfound community solidarity is a lowered
crime rate, during both the day and evening.
« I .

Data Mining I

A relatively new criminological technique, data mining,

uses multiple advanced computational methods, including
THE CATCH PROGRAM
artificial intelligence (the use of computers to perform logi-
cal functions), to analyze large data sets usually involving
ne innovative mapping program, CATCH —
one or more data sources. The goal is to identify significant
the Crime Analysis Tactical Clearing House-
and recognizable patterns, trends, and relationships that
supports local law enforcement agencies in
are not easily detected through traditional analytical tech- analyzing crime series and patterns. CATCH staff use a
niques alone.38 Criminologists then use this information for number of crime mapping and analysis software applica-
various purposes, such as the prediction of future events or tions and techniques to help agencies analyze identified
behaviors. crime series. CATCH is based on next-event forecasting,
Data mining might be employed to help a police depart- which differs from geographic profiling. Geographic profil-
ment allocate resources to combat crime based on offense ing analyzes the locations of a series of crimes to determine
patterns. To determine if such a pattern exists, a criminolo- where the offender most likely resides. Next-event fore- Q.
gist might employ data mining techniques with a variety of casting looks at where previous crimes occurred to predict
sources, including calls for service data, crime or incident where the next crime will happen. So far CATCH has had "O
reports, witness statements, suspect interviews, tip informa- several successes. In one case, the Savannah-Chatham,
tion, telephone toll analysis, or Internet activity. Georgia, police department was baffled by a series of nine
Data mining permits proactive or "risk-based" deploy- kidnappings and rapes. CATCH staff mapped the crime
ment of police resources, a procedure that can increase locations along with other variables and created a timeline.
public safety by optimizing the allocation of resources. For Because the victims were kidnapped and then taken to
example, Richmond, Virginia, has experienced frequent isolated locations and assaulted, the mapping was com-
random gunfire on New Year's Eve that has long presented plex. Using movement-analysis techniques, CATCH team
a challenge to local law enforcement agencies. Through members projected probable locations where the offender
had targeted the victims and provided a list of recommen-
the use of data mining, the Richmond Police Department
dations for disrupting the series. These forecasts and rec-
identified and targeted locations associated with increased
ommendations backed up conclusions by the Savannah
random gunfire during the previous New Year's Eve holi-
authorities, who initiated a public awareness campaign
day and deployed additional police resources to these
about the crimes. The Savannah-Chatham Police Depart-
areas. The results were extremely positive: there was a 49
ment arrested the offender following an attack in an area
percent reduction in the number of random gunfire com-
targeted for increased surveillance.
plaints, with a concomitant increase in seized weapons of
246 percent. Using data mining to target resources, the Critical Thinking
Richmond Police Department required fewer police person- Do you believe it is possible to predict where crime
nel than originally anticipated, which permitted the release will take place in the future? It sounds like the film
of approximately 50 sworn employees. Data mining yielded Minority Report, using computers. Is there a downside to
a cost savings of approximately $15,000 during the eight- this type of prediction?
hour initiative. The Richmond Police Department's initiative
SOURCE: TechBeal. National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technol-
demonstrated the ability to do more with less through the ogy Center, "A Good Catch," https://www.justnet.org/pdf/AGoodCatch.pdf
use of data mining and risk-based deployment strategies in (accessed March 2014),
the public safety arena.39

CHAPTER 2 The Nature and Extent of Crime

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