...Crimes have been committed since the beginning of time. Early crime fighting or policing had the task of solving crimes with limited resources. Police departments for a long time used telephones, two way radios and vehicles to solve crimes, but as technology evolved, so did policing. Policing “is more streamlined and efficient now that computers play a major role in the way police officers work” (Brown, 2013). Police departments now utilize information technologies like dashboard cameras, laptops in their vehicles, GPS units, forensics work and fingerprint and criminal databases. CompStat is an information technology strategy that was adopted in New York City in 1994. It allows the police department to map areas where crimes occur, identify problem areas and “hotspots” within the city. It essentially predicts a crime before it happens. This allows the department to place officers in the proper areas, so that arrests can be made or so that crimes can be avoided. Police officers are more equipped to fight crime with information technology just performing random patrols of the streets. CompStat gives officers specific details so that they know exactly where to direct their attention. Simply patrolling the streets allows officers to have more of a community presence and build relationships with citizens of the city. CompStat’s output is based on past crimes, so patrolling the streets would make officers more accessible to adrress crimes that are happening for the first...
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...Introduction In recent years, the idea of predictive policing, or the use of statistics and data to make policing decisions, has become widely popular in the United States. As police departments faced reduced budgets, improving efficiency in how they work to prevent crime is of great importance (Goode, 2011). However, predictive policing also create a focus on accountability, which has caused some police officers to respond negatively to such pressures (Willis, Mastrofski & Weisburd, 2003). The purpose of this paper is to briefly examine predictive policing and how tools such as COMPSTAT allow police departments to respond more efficiently to criminal activity. Information Technology vs. Random Patrols Before discussing specific issues involving the use of COMPSTAT as part of predictive policing, it is important to compare and contrast the use of information technology as a way of optimizing police department performance with the more traditional use of random street patrols. The use of information technology applications and performing random street patrols are actually similar because both methods of identifying and responding to crime are intended to examine the events and conditions that exist in a particular area so that criminal activity can be prevented before it actually occurs (Bratton & Malinowski, 2008). In essence, regardless of whether information technology applications or random street patrols are used, the overall goal is to be positioned in a way that...
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...Understanding Predictive Policing Christian Turner CIS 500 - Information Systems Decision Making Dr. Edwin Otto 10/23/13 In today's fast-paced world, we are always looking for ways to improve the processes that we have in place. Not only to make these processes more efficient, but to also have a more effective way to complete tasks from the smallest detail to the largest project. With the influx of importance on information technology in our society, it is no surprise that we can use software for process improvement as well. Predictive policing is a perfect example of this combination of a proven process and information technology coming together to create an effective tool. Compstat (COMPuter STATistics) is one such tool that has optimized police departments abilities to predict and reduce crime when compared to random street patrols. Our society is sophisticated on many levels and crime is no different. Just as we have advancements on the positive aspects of life, the negative aspects are advancing right alongside. Predictive policing, "taking data from disparate sources, analyzing them and then using the results to anticipate, prevent and respond more effectively to future crime", can and has been a great positive advancement for mitigating and in some cases stopping crime altogether. Pearsall, B. (2010, May). "Predictive policing entails becoming less reactive. "The predictive vision moves law enforcement from focusing on what happened to focusing on what will happen and...
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...Information Systems for Decision Making Name: Sindhura Garikapati Assignment Title: Predictive Policing Professor: Dr. Mark Cohen Date: 8 July 2014 ABSTRACT Predictive policing relies on using advanced technological tools and data analysis to take proactive measures to pre-empt crime. Predictive policing is the advanced strategy of using information systems to forecast future crime and take necessary measures to prevent them. Los Angeles police department Chief of Detectives Charlie Beck defines it this way – “With new technology, new business processes, and new algorithms, predictive policing is based on directed, information-based patrol; rapid response supported by fact-based prepositioning of assets; and proactive, intelligence-based tactics, strategy, and policy. The predictive-policing era promises measurable results, including crime reduction; more efficient police agencies; and modern, innovative policing.”(©ACLU of Massachusetts) TOPIC 1 Compare and contrast the application of information technology (IT) to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime versus random patrols of the streets. The professional era of policing began in the 1960’s when the policing strategy was based largely on random patrol, rapid response and reactive investigation. Unfortunately...
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...Assignment #1 – Predictive Policing Gamala A. Jenkins CIS500 – Information Systems Decision-Making Dr. Stuart Gold January 13, 2013 The term Predictive Policing is defined as any strategy or tactic that develops and uses information and advanced analysis to inform forwarded-thinking crime prevention (http://www.theomegagroup.com/omegapedia/omegapedia.html). When looking up the meaning a few things came to mind. I thought of how retailers use different technological devices and methods to prevent theft of merchandise. Traffic ticket cameras also come to mind. Traffic cameras are placed in various locations across the country, to catch traffic violators. They also serve as deterrents for future violations. Predictive Policing is a methodology used by many different organizations, but the basic purpose and goals are essentially the same. In recent years, Information Technology has moved to the forefront in improving this process. When comparing the application of Information Technology (IT) to optimize Police Department performance in crime to just random street patrols, there are a couple of similarities between the two. One commonality would be simply police presence. Just the presence of law enforcement in the community would greatly help in crime prevention. No form of technology is really needed. The police department’s experience and knowledge of crimes committed in the past is enough. When police randomly show up in areas at different times and durations...
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...The police departments across the country have always struggled to keep crime of all types as low as possible for the sake of their citizens in hopes of maintaining order, peace, justice. As time has passed from low technological innovation in the 1970’s through the 1990’s into an explosion of new ideas of innovation and technology in modern times, so too has crime. This is both significant and expected based on historical data. Adding new things into the world will always create at least a minor resistance to change in which some people, namely criminals, take advantage of that fact and commit crimes. This is done partially because they are trying to beat the system to get more from it than what they put in; however, this new innovation works for more than just criminals. A powerful example of how innovation and information technology can help fight crime in an efficient, cost effective way, is through predictive policing. Predictive policing is the concept of utilizing historical data and algorithms to determine where future crimes will likely occur (Pearsall, 2010). This concept has the potential for major growth and success all over the world because it is based on historical data, which police departments have in masses (National Institute of Justice, 2012). Information technology is not only used with predictive policing, but all over the department. For instance, processing criminals into massive unified databases that are available all over the world has transformed...
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...Predictive Policing Information Technology deals with the use of computers and telecommunications to store, retrieve and transmit information. New IT capabilities (e.g., e-commerce and social networks) strongly influence competitive strategies and the efficiency of operations. New IT developments are important to all business disciplines because they trigger changes in marketing, operations, e-commerce, logistics, human resources, finance, accounting, and relationships with customers and business partners. Nothing about business or corporate strategy is untouched by IT. Information technology is used in a wide variety of business organizations like Wal-Mart, Galeries Lafayette. The IT has also been applied to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime. The following points illustrate the use of IT to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime. • It stores the data of the previous crimes in a single location for easy access. Whereas with street patrolling accessing of data regarding previous crimes takes some extra efforts as the data is not in a single location. • We can apply certain logics and calculations on the collected data to come up with some predictions. With street patrolling, based on the previous data and experience we come up with some predictions • The output of such a prediction is a report that gives the location and time of where the crime will occur. With street patrolling no such reports are available and the prediction is...
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... Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center. Assignment 1: Predictive Policing Due Week 2 and worth 75 points The following resources may be helpful in completing this assignment: * Goode, E. (2011, August 15). Sending the police before there’s a crime. Retrievable here. * Pearsall, B. (2010, May). Predictive policing: The future of law enforcement? National Institute of Justice Journal, 266. Retrievable here. * Predictive Policing Symposium (2010). Retrievable here. * Shurkin, J. N. (2011, September 13). Santa Cruz cops experiment with ‘predictive policing’. Retrievable here. * Willis, J. J., Mastrofski, S. D., & Weisburd, D. (2003). Compstat in practice: An in-depth analysis of three cities. Police Foundation. Retrievable here. In 1994, the New York City Police Department adopted a law enforcement crime fighting strategy known as COMPSTAT (COMPuter STATistics). COMPSTAT uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the locations of where crimes occur, identify “ hotspots”, and map problem areas. COMPSTAT has amassed a wealth of historical crime data. Mathematicians have designed and developed algorithms that run against the historical data to predict future crimes for police departments. This is known as predictive policing. Predictive policing has led to a drop in burglaries, automobile thefts, and other crimes in some cities. Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you: 1. Compare and contrast the application...
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...Assignment 1 Predictive policing Name: Chong Ma Professor: Dr. Clifton G. Howell Course: CIS 500 Information System for Decision Making Date: April 15th, 2012 Introduction Craig mentioned in his report that “Predictive policing refers to any policing strategy or tactic that develops and uses information and advanced analysis to inform forward-thinking crime prevention”. There are five elements included in this definition: integrating information and operations; seeing the big picture; using cutting-edge analysis and technology; linking to performance of organization and adapting to changing positions(Uchida, 2009b). It is defined as a multi-disciplinary, law enforcement-based strategy that brings together advanced technologies, criminological theory, predictive analysis, and tactical operations that ultimately lead to results and outcomes-crime reduction, management efficiency, and safer communities(Uchida, 2009a). Compare and contrast the new technique and random patrols. From the early 1800s to the 1980s, patrol and criminal investigation dominated policing. Uniformed police patrolled the streets to prevent crime, to interrupt crimes in progress, and to apprehend criminals. However, research since the 1960s has shown the limits of both patrol and investigation for controlling crime. Patrol officers did not effectively prevent crime by questioning suspects, victims, and witnesses. In the 1990s, the police adopted predictive policing strategies in which police initiate...
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...Predictive Policing: Fighting Crime Using Information Technology Andrew E. Carrington III Strayer University Abstract The days of a police department’s dependency on random patrol techniques alone to fight crime are a thing of the past. Police departments across the United States have begun to use a strategy known as COMPSTAT (computer statistics). COMPSTAT is an extremely successful crime analysis and law enforcement management process developed by the New York Police Department. COMPSTAT uses Geographic Information Systems to map the locations of where crimes occur. The application of information technology has enabled countless police departments across the United Stated to reduce crime. This method known as predictive policing has led to a decrease in several crimes such as automobile thefts, robberies, and burglaries. Predictive Policing: Fighting Crime Using Information Technology Using statistics and analytical data to predict criminal activity has become standard practice in several police departments throughout the United States. This type of policing is known as predictive policing. Police and the use of information technology (IT) have received interest from a wide research community. One advantage of the predictive policing and the information systems are they allow for the police to respond to the crime much faster. Predictive policing also involves threats and weaknesses as the transition is attempted to bridge the gap between traditional policing methods...
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...law enforcement agencies and the implementation of Information Technology to optimize their ability to predict and reduce crime through predictive policing. Predictive policing is the usage of statistical information and analytical techniques used to identify potential offenders and crime hot spots and aid in crime prevention. Predictive policing allows law enforcement agencies to become less reactive and more proactive by predicting and preventing crime before it happens. Predictive policing is attracting increasing attention from law enforcement agencies around the country as departments struggle to fight crime at a time when budgets are being slashed (Goode, 2011). An innovation technology in predictive policing is a computer statistic or comparative statistic model known as COMPSTAT. COMPSTAT is a multifaceted dynamic approach to crime prevention, quality of life improvement, and personnel and resource management. COMPSTAT is an information system that identifies established and emerging crime trends for the efficient use of resources to target those trends. The COMPSTAT system represents one method of utilizing and making effective use of existing computerized data. The process revolves around periodic meetings in which senior police officials and area commanders discuss crime trends and what police strategies and tactics are being used to address crime and other quality of life problems...
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...Term Paper: Predictive Policing Sherrell Hall Dr. Kaali Dass CIS-500: Information System Decision Making April 21, 2014 When one thinks of predictive policing, what does he or she think about? Some may think it’s a way for police officers to know of a crime that’s going to take place. Others may think a group of policeman will gather together and come up with predictions on what crime is going to take place next and where. While both statements are somewhat true, let’s take a look at what predictive policing is and compare and contrast the application of information technology to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime versus random patrols of the streets. We’ll also take a look at COMPSTAT, define it, and discuss the basic IS functions in addition to how it allows police departments to respond to crime faster. In addition to COMPSTAT and its functions, we’ll discuss the SWOT analysis. Part I: Compare and Contrast the application of information technology (IT) to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime versus random patrols of the streets. Predictive policing is “taking data from disparate sources, analyzing them and then using the results to anticipate, prevent, and respond more effectively to future crime” (Pearsall, 2010). In other words, predictive policing is analyzing all of the data from crimes and using it to predict when the next crime(s) will occur. This is proven to decrease the crime rate. For instance, in Santa Cruz,...
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...Predictive Policing By Gus Finklestein Strayer University Abstract Predictive policing is a relatively new crime-fighting technique that can be used to both deter crime and catch criminals red-handed. Combining computer technology together with area- specific crime data, reports are generated forecasting precisely when and where crimes are most likely to occur. Police departments maintain records, data, and or databases which log huge volumes of information on crimes, criminals, suspects, and much more. Inputting that information into a sophisticated computer program designed to predict crime, to within a 500 by 500 foot location, is proving to have some merit. With technological advances, police no longer radio headquarters to retrieve basic information like license plates. In fact, the majority of police possess internet-connected computers in their cruisers, allowing them access to vast amounts of data. Within an organizational context, when police easily communicate and share knowledge across boundaries, and the entire country, the overall efficiency of crime-fighting and crime- solving greatly improves. Take for example an Amber Alert, the name of a missing persons report when a child vanishes. Once an alert is executed, police forces very quickly mobilize and cast a very wide net using all available resources to locate that child. This paper discusses the uses of technology, in particular predictive policing, to advance the efforts...
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...Predictive Policing Elizabeth Lancaster Strayer University Information Systems for Decision Making CIS500 Dr. Rose July 10, 2014 Predictive Policing Predictive policing, in essence, is taking data from disparate sources, analyzing them and then using the results to anticipate, prevent and respond more effectively to future crime (Pearsall, n.d). In an attempt to effectively compare and contrast the application of information technology (IT) to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime versus random patrols of the streets, first you need to examine what information technology is available to police today. The term predictive policing is the name given to “any policing strategy or tactic that develops and uses information and advanced analysis to inform forward-thinking crime prevention” (Predictive Policing Symposium, 2010). Information technology is “the collection of computing systems used by the organization” (Turban & Volonino, 2011). Information technology (IT) is used to optimize the performance of police departments’ and reduce crime where prior to information technology, it was necessary for police officers to physically, patrol the streets in random locations in order to reduce crime. Police use information technology tools at almost every stage, including allocation of sources, patrolling, crime prevention, crime tracking, hot pursuits, and crime solving. New technologies have changed drastically in our ways of thinking, our perceptions, our...
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...creation of the program COMPSTAT, there was numerous years of data that was added into the database with new daily information added to predict which areas would have the highest rate of crime based on what has happened in the past (Goode, 2011). Before COMPSTAT, the officers would patrol spots that they thought might be a high area of crime based on their experience in the field (Goode, 2011). This allows the police officers to be able to target the crimes when they are taking place to prevent them from occurring based on the presence of the police officers. This also allows for officers to catch people in the act to be arrested and possibly file more charges against the criminal. This advantage allows for time to be used more wisely to go off of the data that is known for trouble spots to keep the crime down in those areas. The disadvantage of the program would be that if there was not any crime occurring in the area that the officers were sent to that it would be the same as patrolling as they would be wasting time until they were dispatched to take care of something else. With the patrolling of the streets, it more likely that the officers are waiting for a crime to take place and then they pull someone over . With COMPSTAT, it is more like a stakeout where they wait until the crime takes place and they move in. Another disadvantage would be that since the police are focused on the hot areas based off what the computer is telling them that crime would be occurring in other...
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