Having a clear understanding of local crime plays a critical role in maintaining personal safety and strengthening community safety efforts. Across America, the majority of adults say they see news about property crime (37%), drug-related crime (23%), and violent crime (32%) in their neighborhood weekly or more often. Lower-income Americans are more likely to see local crime data than those with higher incomes.
Most law enforcement agencies publish some sort of crime statistics report, though the type and quality of the information varies from city to city. The NYPD, for example, uses a management tool called CompStat to track crime trends at the borough and precinct levels. The public can access this data through the department’s online CompStat page. Additionally, the police also publish call-for-service reports, which include both felony and misdemeanor complaints, at individual address levels. There are also commercial service providers that offer Crime Forecast Reports, which rate the risk of crime at an address using a variety of factors including police data, population and economic indicators, and other socioeconomic factors.
Local and neighborhood websites provide direct communication channels between residents and law enforcement, fostering an environment where safety concerns are addressed in real time. This virtual dialogue keeps individuals informed, and it provides valuable insight into the way in which local crimes are reported and solved. These platforms also offer a variety of resources beyond raw crime statistics, including safety advice and tips and contact details for community police.