Evaluation Leads to a Better Understanding: Lessons Learned-The Wilmington Crime Index

• NCJ Number: 233544
• Journal: Justice Research and Policy Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2003 Pages: 117-126
• Author(s): John P. O'Connell; Richard Harris
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes the Wilmington Crime Index, a unique mapping method that offers an effective means in presenting large quantities of complex information.

Abstract

Evaluations for jurisdictions with Weed and Seed and similar community policing initiatives can sometimes fail to tell the full story because of the complexity of the issues involved. Complete evaluations require many complex graphs and charts that could overwhelm all but the most interested reader. Crime mapping, using the same data used for the extensive display graphs and charts, has proven to be an effective way to present large volumes of complex information. This article describes the Wilmington Crime Index, a unique mapping method that takes into account year-to-year changes in both reported crimes and arrests. (Published Abstract) Reference