How Charlotte Police Use GIS to Keep Residents Informed and Safe

Charlotte, North Carolina, known as the Queen City, is a vibrant and rapidly growing metropolitan area with a diverse population and strong sense of community. As the largest city in the state and the seat of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte boasts a thriving economy and a rich cultural heritage. Residents enjoy beautiful parks, bustling neighborhoods, and a wide range of recreational activities.

In line with its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has introduced CMPD CrimeMapper, an innovative tool that uses geographic information system (GIS) technology. This tool allows residents to access up-to-date information on reported incidents in their neighborhoods, promoting public safety and fostering stronger community relations.

CMPD aims to make Charlotte one of the safest large cities in America through crime prevention, community partnerships, and creating a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors. By leveraging technology, CMPD supports crime reduction strategies and enhances public engagement, demonstrating its commitment to a safer Charlotte.

The Crime Analysis and Data Analytics Division at CMPD identified the need to replace their outdated public crime mapping system. The previous system used old technology, had become static, and was no longer supported. This raised concerns among CMPD command staff about the long-term viability of their current crime map and potential service impacts to CMPD’s ability to share critical crime alerts and updates with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

The CMPD Crime Analysis and Data Analytics Division collaborated with the software development team to create a new, robust, and user-friendly public crime mapping system that would provide up-to-date crime data, allow for public data downloads, and ensure continuity of service. Challenges with their legacy system that would need to be addressed in the new system included updating the system software, improving data accessibility so the public could download data, and integrating technologies that ensured seamless dataflow.

After evaluating various options, the team decided to leverage existing technologies they had access to. By using ArcGIS Online, a secure and scalable software as a service (SaaS) specifically designed for geospatial workflows, the team recreated the capabilities offered in the old system. With the support and extendable capabilities of ArcGIS, the joint team first created a new crime feature layer that was as close to the original as possible, minimizing user disruption. The technology not only helped the joint team host and manage their geographic data but also allowed them to use other Esri applications.

For instance, they used ArcGIS Survey123—a dynamic form builder—to develop a subscription service that allows residents to receive crime alerts based on their selected geography and crime types. The team used Python scripts to automate the subscription process and handle email notifications, and ArcGIS Notebooks to run the scripts within the ArcGIS environment.

The team used ArcGIS Experience Builder to create the user interface and interactive web apps for CMPD CrimeMapper, leveraging its no-code, configurable solution for building compelling apps. Finally, the new system was integrated with CMPD’s open data portal, allowing public access to downloadable crime and incident data.

The new public crime mapping system, CrimeMapper, is now live and available to the public. It has maintained a familiar look and feel as the old system to alleviate users’ resistance to change. The crime data on the map is updated nightly, ensuring the public has access to the latest information. It includes a built-in feedback mechanism, allowing residents to report issues and suggest improvements. The CrimeMapper team plans to expand the system to include additional datasets, such as traffic stops, and further customize the crime categories based on command staff needs.

The new public crime mapping system has successfully addressed the limitations of the previous system. By leveraging modern GIS technology and ensuring data accessibility, CMPD has enhanced its service delivery to the public, providing a valuable tool for crime awareness and community engagement. Easy access to crime data empowers residents to take an active role in community policing efforts. The interactive maps not only help residents stay aware of potential safety concerns but also encourage collaboration between the police and the community to address and prevent crime.