Ottawa Police introduces “Ottawa Crime”: an online mapping tool for the community

Summary: A new Google-based crime mapping tool is being launched this evening on ottawapolice.ca and will be introduced at the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting.

A new Google-based crime mapping tool is being
launched this evening on ottawapolice.ca and will be
introduced at the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is merging Geographic
Information Systems technology with police data with the
introduction of “Ottawa Crime” permitting users to view
police call data in an interactive, easy-to-use, visual,
map-based format accessible through the Internet.

“The Ottawa Police has long recognized the value of
sharing information on community safety and security,”
noted Chief Vern White. “We want members of our community
to stay alert and stay informed about what is going on in
their neighbourhood.”

Ottawa Crime will feature:

· Location of calls for police assistance are derived
from Ottawa Police Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system;
· Calls are grouped by an expanded range of Uniform
Crime Reporting (UCR) categories including: robberies,
break-ins, stolen vehicles, mischief, sexual offense,
homicide as well as the location of traffic complaints
lodged with Ottawa Police;
· Calls for service data are automatically refreshed
daily, meaning that users will have current information at
the click of a mouse;
· The program allows users to search selected time
frames based on prior day, seven days, 30 days, 60 days –
or using a calendar for up to a six-month window;
· The new mapping tool is accompanied by a user
friendly guide available online;
· Free user access.
· The program will feature Ottawa Police Computer
Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in the following manner:
o Data mapped at 100 block increments (positioned at
centre block);
o Time and date of a call, along with a reference
number/occurrence identifier;
o No personal information displayed/available to
respect privacy laws.

Ottawa Crime will not feature:

· It is important to note that all calls for service
do not necessarily equate to a criminal incident resulting
in a report or arrest.
· The data presented in “Ottawa Crime” is considered
preliminary crime data and may change upon further
investigation and does not represent official statistics
submitted to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics
(CCJS).
· A number of incidents will not be reflected in
order to avoid re-victimization. Information on Sex
Offenders will not be displayed, as the National Sex
Offender Registry is not made public.

“Ottawa Crime” mapping tool is now available online at:
www.ottawapolice.ca. Ottawa crime data and police activity
are available to the public through various resources
including: the annual Activity Reports; Crime, Police and
Traffic Statistics Reports; Ward Profiles; and the
new “Ottawa Crime” mapping tool. They are available at:
www.ottawapolice.ca/en/resources/crime_analysis_statistics/i
ndex.cfm

The Ottawa Police will further enhance the crime mapping
tool building on user feedback. OPS will discontinue the
Weekly Activity Reports currently available on the website
by the end of 2008. If you have any questions or concerns
about the “Ottawa Crime” crime mapping tool, email us at:
CorporatePlanning@ottawapolice.ca.

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