The Community Dashboard will chart “Part 1” crimes in the city, such as aggravated assaults, residential and commercial burglaries, vehicle burglaries and stolen vehicles. The crimes are mapped on Google maps so police can better see certain crime trends.
The new crime charting system is also accessible to residents. “The Police Department may see a trend in commercial burglaries, for example, and can add increased patrols in the area,” Police Capt. Mike Simko said. “Thirty years ago, we put pins on maps. Now we’re just capitalizing on technology,” Simko added.
The Community Dashboard will compare the most current 14 days in seven-day increments and will include information on what percentage of crime has risen or dropped.
The Community Dashboard is a “way for us to be more transparent in getting our crime prevention message out, and it lets residents monitor their own neighborhoods and secure their property,” Simko said.
The Police Department already subscribes to Nixle, a communication system that connects public safety, municipalities, schools, businesses, residents and the communities they serve. Nixle communicates information through text, email, voice messages, social media, and the Nixle mobile app.
Go to FVPD.org and click on “Crime Mapping” to access Community Dashboard.
Simko said followers of the Police Department’s Facebook page will also find a link to the Community Dashboard there.