Theft from Breaking and Entering Autos

South Georgia Regional Development Center currently provides the Valdosta Police Department (VPD) in Georgia with geocoded crime data, crime analysis, and mapping services. All city of Valdosta crimes are geocoded on a monthly basis, with specific Part I crimes geocoded on a weekly basis. All VPD personnel have access to geocoded crime data via wall maps posted in the patrol briefing room. ArcExplorer is installed on mobile data terminals (MDTs) in all police vehicles. Detectives in Investigative Services can also access weekly Part I crime shapefiles using ArcExplorer installed at their desks.

A noticeable increase in breaking and entering autos (BEAs) in Valdosta in the spring of 2004 that was made visible through geocoded Part I crimes prompted Investigative Services to request this display of maps and charts. All maps and charts were originally created in an 8 1/2 x 11 inch format for inclusion in an Investigative Services report. Both a point (pushpin) map and a density map illustrate the locations of BEAs for the 90-day period February 1 to April 30, 2004; day and time of incident charts show when BEAs occur. This information assisted VPD patrol units in concentrating their efforts on specific areas during specific time periods, ultimately resulting in several arrests. Subsequent crime analysis showed a significant decrease in BEAs, proving that the visual display of crime data helps police do their job.