Leveraging Organizational Success through GIS Technology

Carl A. Walter
Deputy Director - Research & Evaluation
Boston Police Department
617-343-5985
WalterC.bpd@ci.boston.ma.us


In 1996 the Boston Police Department implemented bi-monthly strategy
sessions referred to as Crime Analysis Meetings (CAM).   The CAM purpose is
to provide a useful forum which facilitates informed decision-making through
the use of widely shared data, crime analysis techniques, and innovative
problem-solving strategies supported by Geographic Information System (GIS)
technology.  It is a forum specifically designed to facilitate problem
resolution, showcase best practices and instill accountability throughout
the ranks and divisions of the Boston Police Department.

Since the inception of CAM, both the meetings and the department's efforts
to solve community problems have evolved extensively.  Specifically, the
department expanded its use of (GIS) information to support community
policing.  It quickly became apparent that in order to adequately support
the enhanced analytical needs of the department, a simple yet robust
technology solution was in order.

In the fall of 1999, ESRI - Boston and the Boston Police Department's Office
of Research & Evaluation created a customized GIS application called
'CrimeShow'.  Developed in MapObjects and Visual Basic, this point and click
application possesses a unique combination of analytical and presentation
functionality.  This integrated mapping and analysis system also includes
interactive charting functionality giving users the ability to link
components of a bar or pie chart to their related points on a map.
Furthermore, CrimeShow's built in browser connects to the department's
on-line incident reports, mugshots, arrest histories and 360-degree
interactive photographs by simply selecting a point on the map.

This GIS solution now supports much more than a meeting - it supports a
process.  This process begins with a problem identification phase that
includes roll call briefings for beat level officers, Mini-CAM's held at
each district office and Pre-CAM briefings for the Commissioner and command
staff.  It cumulates with a problem resolution phase that includes a
department-wide Crime Analysis Meeting and a Post-CAM Process Management
Debriefing.  In short, GIS technology has quickly become useful in
facilitating a forum for leveraging the organization's successes in a
variety of important ways.