Site Maps Out D.C. Crime

In D.C. you can now find out online what crimes have been committed in particular neighborhoods through a new crime map.

Plug in an address or a police district and up pops a map of the area complete with icons the types of crimes committed

There's a mask for a robbery, a person lying in the street for a homicide and a money bag for a theft.

While other police Web sites allow users to find out the number of crimes in specific areas, the District's can pinpoint different crimes and their proximity to homes, offices, businesses or landmarks.

For example, if you plug in M Street, NW, at Wisconsin Avenue, NW, you'd find that from Jan. 1, 2006 to Oct. 25, 2006 that there had been 264 crimes within 1,000 feet of that intersection, compared with 334 a year earlier.

The largest area you can view is a police district but your ability to see the data mapped out is limited. If there are more than 500 offenses, the system won't map it out for you. Also you won't be able to view the information on certain Web browsers, such as Firefox and Safari. Microsoft Explorer users won't have a problem, but not all Mac users will be able to use the site.

Demand for the information is what prompted the department to make the information widely available.

Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey says people who are aware will become more involved in communities, and it will make communities safe.

"The result should be a more informed and vigilant community, stronger police-community partnerships and, ultimately, safer neighborhoods," said Ramsey in a news release.

In the future, the police department to add arrest activity to the crime map.

(Copyright 2006 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)