The city of Detroit has launched a new interactive tool to bring transparency and awareness to crime trends. The Crime Viewer, which is in its beta-testing phase, is a new visualization program and the result of combined efforts of the Department of Innovation and Technology and the Detroit Police Department.
The Crime Viewer uses data compiled from Dec. 2016 to present. Crimes are color-coded and a legend includes the number of reported incidents per crime category with a reference guide to describe each crime.
The database is updated as crimes are officially reported.
“By putting information in the hands of residents, we hope to work together to promote a safer community,” the website says of the program.
When an incident dot is clicked, details of that crime are displayed, including the report number, arrest category, charge description, time, address, and neighborhood.
However, the website explains that the addresses and data points are anonymized to protect the victims. By assigning data points to a specific block within a certain distance of the original crime both the addresses and geographic coordinates are disguised.
Explore the new map here.
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