New Blogs!

Thanks for coming to The Crime Map for issues about law enforcement, crime mapping, community policing and more, but we have had so much success that we needed to move to a different URL. If you have not already been redirected to the new site, click here to go to thecrimemap.crimereports.com.

Thanks.

“That’s a low price for the information it gets out to the community.”

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Capt. Andrew Bilardello, talking to the Orlando Sentinel about the value of CrimeReports to the department and to local citizens.

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/sfl-crime-map-pbso-p103009,0,5621216.story

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

State DNA Policy Map

Here’s an interesting find for the law enforcement map geek in us all. Science Progress, recently created an interactive map of law enforcement DNA policies. There are a series of three maps that are color-coded, according to levels of access, written policy, etc. If you want to see the maps for yourself, go to Science Progress or click the map below.

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

Criminal Oddities: Criminals Call Cops on Themselves

Two odd cases recently surfaced about criminals who called the cops on themselves:

Neilsville, Wis.—A 911 dispatcher recently received a call from 49-year-old Mary Strey who wanted to report a drunk driver. The dispatcher asked if Strey was currently behind the drink driver on the freeway. Strey reportedly answered, “I am them.” The dispatcher quickly instructed Strey to pull over to the side of the road and turn her hazard lights on, where she was found by sheriff’s deputies and cited for misdemeanor drunken driving. (source)

Brant Township, Mich.—A 54-year-old woman called Saginaw County Sheriff’s Deputies to report a theft early last Sunday morning. When a detective arrived, the woman informed him that two men had broken into her home and demanded that she hand over her marijuana plants, then fled. The woman said that she grew and used the plants for medicinal purposes, but she was promptly arrested on charges of manufacturing and delivering marijuana. (source)

We’re thankful that these ne’er-do-wells had the foresight to call the cops to report their questionable behavior. I wish more criminals would do the same. It would save us all a lot of time and effort.

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

An Overview of California’s Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act

California Assembly Member Tom Ammiano

On February 23, 2009, Assembly Member Tom Ammiano introduced A.B. 390, California’s Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act, a sensible marijuana policy that essentially legalizes the cultivation, possession, sale and use of marijuana by adults twenty one and older; raises money to fund programs that discourage substance abuse through a substantial tax on marijuana and proposes a wholesale and retail marijuana sales regulation program similar to that of alcohol.

What are the intentions of A.B. 390?

• Legalize and regulate the use of marijuana and its derivatives by adults over the age of twenty one.
• Raise money to fund programs that discourage substance abuse through a substantial tax on marijuana.
• Institute a regulatory system for both the wholesale and retail of marijuana.
• Encourage the federal government to reconsider its position on marijuana.

What exactly does A.B. 390 propose?

• Adults twenty one and older may legally use marijuana at home without facing criminal penalties.
• Adults twenty one and older may legally use marijuana at the home of another, so long as a resident age twenty-one or older has consented to the use.
• The possession and sale of marijuana paraphernalia would be legal for adults twenty one and older.
• Adults twenty one and older may grow and possess up to 10 mature marijuana plants.  (Plants grown outside may not be visible to the public.)
• State and local agencies may not willfully assist federal law enforcement nor use state or local funds to enforce those federal laws that conflict with California law.
• Industrial cultivation of hemp would be legal.

What would NOT change under A.B. 390?

• Possession and use of marijuana would remain illegal for those under the age of twenty one.
• Driving under the influence of marijuana would remain a crime.
• Public consumption of marijuana would remain illegal, punishable by a $100 fine.
• Employers may continue to drug test employees and terminate or deny employment to individuals because of their use of marijuana.
• Marijuana possession and sales on high school and elementary school grounds would remain illegal.

What are the some of the benefits of legalization under a bill such as A.B. 390?

• Decreased access to and use of marijuana by teens. Legalizing and regulating marijuana sales in a fashion similar to that of alcohol and tobacco would actually reduce teens’ access to the substance. (Regulatory programs currently in place for sales of tobacco and alcohol have actually decreased their availability to teens.) While a leakage effect still occurs, teens can access alcohol and tobacco through friends who are of age, the existence of system that requires retailers to “card” customers means marijuana is less likely to end up in the possession of underage users.
• A safer product. Regulating the production and sale of marijuana and its derivatives means that the state can regulate not only the THC level of the product but users are less likely to end up with marijuana that has been tainted or laced with other illegal substances.
• Financial Incentives. While public officials should never legalize a dangerous product simply for financial gain, there are numerous financial benefits that accompany legislation such as A.B. 390. Not only do the state and local agencies save millions of dollars associated with the costs of marijuana prohibition, but a net gain will result from revenue generated by taxes on marijuana.  The California Board of Equalization estimates an annual tax revenue of $1.4 billion dollars from marijuana taxes.  This money could fund education, health care and public safety programs.
• Greater focus on public safety.  The criminal justice system could refocus their efforts on those who jeopardize public safety:  violent offenders, property offenders and those who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Meridith Spencer is an adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology at Bridgewater State College and Fisher College and an advocate for public policy that is “smart on crime.” She can be reached at meras28@gmail.com.

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

“There are numerous companies that provide similar services, but CrimeReports seemed the most user-friendly and fit the budget.”

Times-Standard of Eureka California, quoting Police Chief Garr Nielsen about the benefit of CrimeReports over other crime-mapping solutions.

Source: http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_13684343

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

“It’s all part of our community-policing strategy. We want to get information out to the public what’s around them in the city, and it will allow a closer bond between residents and police.”

Police Chief Don O’Keefe, Half Moon Bay PD, CA, talking about how CrimeReports integrates into a larger community policing strategy.

Source: http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2009/10/29/news/breaking_news/doc4ae9e8e38e9be157886414.txt

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

Palm Beach County, Fla., Joins Nearly 600 Law Enforcement Agencies on the National Crime Map

Palm Beach, Florida

Today, as Palm Beach County residents prepare to send their kids out trick-or-treating, the sheriff’s office announces a partnership with CrimeReports, creators of the National Crime Map, to give parents and members of the public a comprehensive map of crime in their communities. Palm Beach County joins 22 other law enforcement agencies across Florida that already publish crime information through the CrimeReports Network to inform local citizens about crime.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office believes that partnering with CrimeReports will give area citizens an accurate picture of crime, not only for Halloween safety but also throughout the rest of the year. Residents will be able to see city and county crime data side-by-side in the towns of Lake Worth, Wellington, Belle Glade, Royal Palm Beach, and other towns throughout the county, giving citizens a complete picture of crime in their communities.

“Florida has been a leader in publishing crime maps for the public,” said Greg Whisenant, founder and CEO of CrimeReports. “We’re thrilled to be working with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and look forward to working closely with them to strengthen their partnership with the public to prevent and reduce crime.”

CrimeReports offers all citizens free email crime alerts, sex offender information, and the most comprehensive public crime mapping service on the web. Working with nearly 600 law enforcement agencies across North America, CrimeReports’ popularity is due, in part, to a recent trend in law enforcement toward use of web 2.0 tools and social media to share crime information directly with citizens. CrimeReports is the most-affordable, industry-leading resource for accurate, comprehensive, public-facing crime mapping.

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com

The Power (or Lack There) of Apology

I made a stupid civilian mistake recently. Corresponding with a law enforcement source, who also happens to be a good friend, I “playfully” got prickly with him for not responding to a request as quickly as I would have liked.

His reply was even pricklier, and not at all playful. As it turned out, he’d been involved in a joint task force operation, serving search warrants and examining digital evidence, for the better part of the week—in addition to investigating a fatal shooting.

And once I got over my initial who-does-he-think-he-is reaction (because, really, who likes to hear they’ve screwed up—even when it’s painfully obvious?), I told him:

I know better, and I should’ve known better. I’m sorry.

And left it at that.

True apology is about trust

One of my favorite social media experts and another friend, Liz Strauss, re-blogged an older post of hers: “When an Apology Can Open the Door to Trust.” It didn’t only strike me because of my experience. It also struck me because in this day and age, it seems everyone is apologizing. Is this really an effective way to rebuild trust?

Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle

Honestly, I doubt it. I have to admit I rolled my eyes when I heard the word “apology” in conjunction with Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle’s apology to his city’s Hispanic community over a rookie officer’s actions. This was due in part to the fact that Kunkle has made public apologies before—notably with regard to another traffic stop.

But it’s not because of any opinions I hold about the DPD, or Kunkle himself. That’s my reaction to every public official’s apology, from Mark Sanford to John Edwards.

Apologies from organizations and public officials have, I fear, not come to mean very much. They are rarely 100% honest. Yet the public expects them, and public figures expect to have to give them. It’s become a “thing to do.” That removes the sincerity right there.

Worse, public reaction to them is mixed. Apologies for extramarital affairs only sometimes destroy careers. More often, they result in even more fame and attention. Apologies for misconduct result in the media using words like “outcry” and “demands for change” for a few weeks. Then nothing much changes.

And as Liz writes:

An apology that deflects attention, that says “I regret it happened,” is not an apology.
An “I’m sorry” that doesn’t own the damage done won’t rebuild trust.
An incomplete apology is a missed opportunity to build a stronger relationship by learning from what went wrong.

Words are not enough

My apology to my detective friend would have meant nothing had I emailed him again the next day, or really anytime before he dug out and was ready to talk again. I had to show that I meant what I said.

So I left him alone for a week—until he emailed me. Trust reestablished, friendship remains, though it has changed along with the two individuals who comprise it.

And therein lies the rub. People change. What they want and need and expect of a relationship changes along with them. The same is true of whole groups. People who once trusted a police department can learn to lose trust, and people who once distrusted their police can learn to regain it.

That’s why it’s so important never to assume you know what the public wants or needs, but to continue to research them, to reach out to them. Crime patterns shift. Demographics change. But pretty universally, people want to be heard and understood.

I made a stupid civilian mistake, and I owned up to it. Police make stupid cop mistakes, and they need to own up to them—not by making an “expected” apology, but by agreeing to learn from the mistake to make public safety better for everyone.

This is not easy. It often means putting one’s ego aside, and only rare leaders can admit their own mistakes to the extent that they can institute organizational culture change. The rest need to know when to admit that a change in leadership is necessary. Perhaps the best example: the LAPD.

What place do apologies hold in our culture? How can you move from the “expected” apology to one that is sincere and credible? And how can you follow through with action?

Christa M. Miller is founder and co-author of Cops 2.0. A freelance trade journalist turned public relations and social media consultant, she has specialized in public safety issues for the past eight years. She resides in Greenville, SC and can be reached at christammiller@gmail.com.

University of Florida Students Design Against Crime

Students from the University of Florida are working with local law enforcement to prevent crime through environmental design. Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is a way of approaching crime prevention by looking at environmental factors like lighting, traffic flow, ambush points and shrubbery.

The UF students are examining local businesses, evaluating them from a design perspective, and making suggestions for improvement. They’ve partnered with police in their efforts and are lobbying the city council to require CPTED compliance for local businesses.

Not only is CPTED a new and effective way to look at crime prevention efforts, but as local law enforcement departments partner with local residents, they will build relationships and create better communication between citizens and law enforcement. And those relationships will help law enforcement and citizens stay in touch and prevent crime before it even happens.

Is there a chance to do this in you area?

For more information on how they use CPTED to evaluate local businesses, read the full article here: http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_bae8e36e-c37a-11de-ab2b-001cc4c03286.html

Get on the crime map at CrimeReports.com