Cambridge Police Department Releases Online Crime Map to Public

The Cambridge Police Department and BAIR Analytics Inc. recently partnered to provide a new way for the public to stay informed about crime in Cambridge.  An online crime map called RAIDS Online (www.raidsonline.com) that maps and analyzes crime data and allows the Cambridge Police Department to alert the public about crimes in their community is now available for residents to access on their computer or smartphone.

“I think this is a really innovative way to share crime information with the community,” said City Manager Richard C. Rossi.  “Many police departments produce crime reports, but this new map allows Cambridge residents to see, on a daily basis, where, when, and what types of crimes police are responding to in their neighborhoods.”

Cambridge residents can view a map and grid with all of the crimes in their area, sign up for neighborhood watch reports that automatically email a breakdown of recent crime activity, and submit an anonymous tip about a crime directly to their law enforcement agency.  RAIDS Online automatically syncs with the Cambridge Police Department’s records system to keep crime information updated online and in the mobile app.  RAIDS Online cleans and geocodes the crime data, then displays all of the incidents on a map, grid, and analytics dashboard along with some basic information about the incidents, including the type of crime, location type, block-level address, date and time.

“We believe an informed community is a safer community,” said Police Commissioner Robert C. Haas.  “By using this map to stay informed, residents who may have knowledge of a crime can share that information anonymously with police with the click of a button.”

Typically, agencies can spend thousands of dollars annually through other crime mapping providers.  BAIR Analytics offers RAIDS Online and the RAIDS Online Mobile app as a free service to any law enforcement agency that wishes to participate.  RAIDS Online is ad-free and BAIR Analytics does not sell the data to third party vendors, thus the agency remains in complete control over their data.

“The Cambridge Police Department’s participation in RAIDS Online highlights their commitment to proactive communication with the public they serve,” said Sean Bair, founder of BAIR Analytics, “We’re excited to partner with the Cambridge Police Department to provide this free service for their public.”

The map, updated daily with information on crimes in Cambridge, can be accessed at www.CambridgePolice.org/CrimeMap.