By Ryan Ginard | SDUN Reporter

A new website that monitors criminal activity, including incidents of burglary, motor vehicle theft and reported drug use, is now active in San Diego and the Uptown communities. CrimeMapping.com is designed to help residents protect themselves and their property as well as encourage accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to police.

The San Diego-based Omega Group developed CrimeMapping.com. Omega Group President Milan Mueller said, “Sharing crime data with the local citizens helps foster safer communities and let[s] people make informed decisions about their current and potential neighborhoods.”
The statistics and crimes reported on the website are provided by the San Diego Police Department.

San Diego Police Community Relations Officer Jenny Hall said she is happy with the new technology as a part of crime reporting.

“In today’s busy society, we are relying more and more on electronic communication; however, the vigilant, involved members of the community are irreplaceable,” Hall said. “This website provides the community information on crime statistics in a timely matter, which can quickly be disseminated. CrimeMapping.com is an integral part of the future of Neighborhood Watch, but it will never replace the human factor.”

CrimeMapping.com is an example of a new approach to community interaction by police, placing emphasis on the importance of transparency in engaging the public to report criminal activity.

“It is important for the public and law enforcement to engage in open communication. Providing information to the public in this manner fosters that communication, and builds further trust and relationships with the public,” Hall said. “The resulting rapport will again allow the police to work more efficiently and effectively with information provided by members of the community.”

Since 1992, The Omega Group has created software for law enforcement agencies to help form strategies in fighting crime. Mueller said he has seen the site’s positive impact on the community.

“CrimeMapping.com has been a resounding success in creating safer neighborhoods,” Mueller said. “Traffic to the site has continued to increase and demand for the information we provide will grow as the public continues to understand and utilize the data available to them.”

Beth Swersie, vice president and website manager of the North Park Community Association, linked CrimeMapping.com to her organization’s website and said, “Many of our readers like to look at the crime statistics and to read about incidents in the neighborhood.”

CrimeMapping.com is also available as an app for the iPhone.