A new online crime mapping tool launched by the St. Louis, Mo., Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) aims to help the city’s residents stay informed and increase transparency around crime prevention.
Using CrimeMapping.com – a web-based platform that extracts and displays data from law enforcement agencies’ records – the map displays misdemeanor offenses which are updated every 24 hours. Crimes appearing on the map will remain visible for up to six months.
“An informed public is a safer public,” St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said in a statement. “Everyone has a role to play in preventing crime in our City, and this new crime map is another tool in our toolbox. I invite everyone in our community to utilize this resource to stay informed and help us continue to decrease crime throughout St. Louis City.”
Certain crimes will not appear on the map, including domestic violence, sex crimes, and juvenile-related offenses, according to Jones.
“The launch of Crime Mapping is an additional information-sharing tool that reaffirms our commitment to trust and transparency,” said Chief Robert Tracy. “From misdemeanor offenses to the most serious crimes, our residents and business leaders will have access to timely and relevant data.”
The launch of the crime mapping tool follows other recent efforts by the Jones administration to address crime, including an executive order signed earlier this year that established transparency and accountability measures for technology utilized by SLMPD. In 2022, the Office of Violence Prevention was established to coordinate resources across the city for crime prevention.
“This new crime data mapping will activate community members and partner organizations by providing data that can help determine where to deploy vital violence prevention and intervention resources,” said Wil Pinkney, director of the Office of Violence Prevention.
CrimeMapping.com has been used by several other states, counties and cities, including those in California, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
