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GIS (Geographic Information System) and Law Enforcement in the 21st Century

NCJ Number
171858
Date Published
1998
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This video and accompanying written materials profile the benefits of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) family of software and data solutions in the implementation of law enforcement functions.
Abstract
In mapping the geographic distribution of crimes and the residential location of offenders and ex-offenders, GIS holds benefits for law enforcement operations. Using interviews with various law enforcement personnel and graphic displays, this video profiles the benefits of GIS in three police departments in California: Redlands, Stockton, and Salinas. The Redlands Police Department has used GIS for real-time information flow, trend analysis, increased accuracy, enhanced community-oriented policing, and crime analysis. The Stockton Police Department has used GIS for increased productivity, strategic planning, proactive deployment of resources, and the tracking of sex offenders. The Salinas Police Department has used GIS for improved crime pattern analysis, an increased street presence, and reductions in firearms violence. Accompanying the video are pamphlets and newsletter reports on the features of GIS software (ArcView GIS).