Crime Mapping May Help Residents Stay Safe
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: October 11, 2012
Crime happens in every city, but only some map it out for everyone to see. Springdale is the only one in Arkansas.
"We see it as information is power and it's a positive thing. To be able to have that data and be able to share that data, we think puts Springdale in a very special position," Bill Rogers, Springdale Vice President of Communications said.
RAIDS Online is a website and phone app that the Springdale police signed up for back in March of 2011. The data however, is available for all.
"The thing I love about it, it's raw data. There's no, 'this part doesn't fit in or this part doesn't fit in,' I mean, what you see is what you get," Lt. Kevin Lewis with the Springdale Police Department said.
Police say knowing where crimes have happened can help prevent others in the future.
"I think that the more we can educate ourselves the better off we are, and the better off we are to other people," Lewis said.
For the city, it's even used as a marketing tool.
"It helps them decide where they want to build a business. It helps them decide perhaps where they want to live," Rogers said.
The website and app has been slow to gain popularity.
"It takes time for the residents and for people to learn that this tool is available," Rogers said.
Lt. Kevin Lewis says he hopes other police departments will sign up and provide residents with this crime mapping tool.
"I would encourage them to do it for sure."
The website has been activated in many cities throughout the country. Check out the website, www.raidsonline.com to see where else the crime mapping is available.
"We see it as information is power and it's a positive thing. To be able to have that data and be able to share that data, we think puts Springdale in a very special position," Bill Rogers, Springdale Vice President of Communications said.
RAIDS Online is a website and phone app that the Springdale police signed up for back in March of 2011. The data however, is available for all.
"The thing I love about it, it's raw data. There's no, 'this part doesn't fit in or this part doesn't fit in,' I mean, what you see is what you get," Lt. Kevin Lewis with the Springdale Police Department said.
Police say knowing where crimes have happened can help prevent others in the future.
"I think that the more we can educate ourselves the better off we are, and the better off we are to other people," Lewis said.
For the city, it's even used as a marketing tool.
"It helps them decide where they want to build a business. It helps them decide perhaps where they want to live," Rogers said.
The website and app has been slow to gain popularity.
"It takes time for the residents and for people to learn that this tool is available," Rogers said.
Lt. Kevin Lewis says he hopes other police departments will sign up and provide residents with this crime mapping tool.
"I would encourage them to do it for sure."
The website has been activated in many cities throughout the country. Check out the website, www.raidsonline.com to see where else the crime mapping is available.
