http://crimereports.com/map/index/?search=Omaha+NE
Published Thursday July 10, 2008
Police to post crime reports on Web
BY KEVIN COLE
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
· On the Web: CrimeReports.com
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· On the Web: CrimeReports.com
A new Web site that maps criminal activity in Omaha should help keep citizens informed and free up police officers who handle calls about crime statistics.
"Most people already know about crime in their neighborhood, but this is going to give them the hard facts," Omaha Police Lt. Scott Gray said today. "With awareness, hopefully, prevention is going to follow."
The police department's precincts and statistical analysis unit often field calls from residents wanting information about criminal activity in their area. Now, they can be directed to the Web site.
"A significant amount of time is spent answering calls," Gray said. "As this site becomes more popular, those calls should decrease, and we'll have more time for other duties."
The site, www.crimereports.com, allows users to click on a city, choose a neighborhood and a timeline. Icons representing individual crimes will pop up.
By clicking on an icon, the user will learn where and when an incident occurred. A case number also will appear. The information will be available for up to six months.
A test of the system by a reporter found at least one problem.
Two recent homicides were recorded on the Web site, but their locations were not designated on the corresponding map. A notation on the Web site said the exact location of the homicides could not be found.
Gray said that is a glitch that should be corrected soon.
The map also shows the locations of break-ins, auto thefts, assaults, property damage and a number of other crimes.
Traffic stops do not appear on the Web site.
One function that will be included in the future, Gray said, is the ability to send out crime prevention messages and Amber Alerts to those who have signed up for e-mail notification.