GeoNorth recently developed and delivered an integrated internet based crime mapping system for the citizens of Pearland and the Pearland Police Department. Recognizing the importance of publishing crime incidents to better inform and educate the public, the City contracted with GeoNorth to leverage their existing business systems and GIS.
GeoNorth rapidly implemented the system by leveraging crime incident information managed in the City’s SunGard HTE system. Integrating this information system with the City’s existing MapOptix based internet GIS solution was completed in days.
The City’s GIS Coordinator, Mike Masters states, “This is the perfect map-based solution that provides the citizens of Pearland information about criminal activity in their neighborhood. This will also provide a crime tracking solution for Homeowner Associations, Neighborhood Watches, Management Companies, Newspapers, etc… Having this mapping solution available to everyone will not only provide the public information but, saves the City’s Police Department many man hours from manually researching "Open Record Requests". This is a win win solution for everyone!”
The crime mapping system, based on the MapOptix Multi-Map Framework™, provides an intuitive report centric approach making information both easy to use and understand. The application works by prompting the user for an address, which in turn generates a buffered selection and a map summarizing reported crime incidents occurring within ½ mile of the address. A graph illustrates the crime profile for the area. Individual summary maps for each major crime, such as burglary and motor vehicle theft, are available by clicking specific configurable tabs within the application. An arbitrary 1/4 mile grid overlay also shows crime intensity.
Because the system is based on MapOptix, it also simplifies the application management and makes the same information accessible from a robust interactive web based GIS that will be used internally by police Officers and Detectives. Using the MapOptix Multi-Map Framework, the City can easily present other thematic information such as zoning, schools, and utilities or leverage other existing information from the State or County. It can also be integrated with Google™, Google Earth™ and Virtual Earth™.
