Grand Rapids Police Department gets new crime-mapping system

By Sharon Hanks

Grand Rapids police are hoping its new crime-mapping system introduced last week encourages residents to be more proactive when it comes to fighting crime in their neighborhood.

The Internet-based systems allows users to see what kinds of crimes are happening throughout the city over a 90-day period, including information about the offense and when and were it occurred. To see the site, go here.

The information is based on complaints filed with the police department and will be updated twice a day, according to Officer Phil Porter who works in the department’s crime analysis unit. He says the city is the first in the state to offer residents up-to-date crime information online

“We’re expecting the public to be better acquainted with the crimes in their neighborhood and more aware of what’s happening,” Porter says. Residents can attempt to find crime patterns themselves by viewing the map. If they know, for example, there are several car thefts in their area, they’ll be more on the lookout for suspicious activities.

“If they see something that they think is worth us knowing about, they’ll report it,” he says. At the site, residents can also sign up for daily e-mail alerts.

Source: Grand Rapids Police Officer Phil Porter.

Sharon Hanks is the innovations and job news editor at Rapid Growth Media. She can be reached at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.