Slashdot Mirror
Google Map Hack & Chicago Crime Data
joepez writes "In recent weeks we've seen some great Google Maps hacks (HousingMaps,
Google's own Ride Finder,
etc.), but this weekend Adrian has brought us something truly innovative. He's merged Google map data with Chicago crime data to present a once a day updated crime map of the entire city, including some really nice summarized data. Adrian calls the project Chicagocrime.org. How long till we have real time crime data showing up on Google's map? Pull open HousingMaps next to Chicagocrime.org and figure out if that low rent apartment is truly worth it. Or is this all a clever trick on Google's part to build up more and more third parties dependent upon Google?" There's also a cheap gas hack as well.
If you select 'prostitution' you can check out the best areas to go to pick up a hooker. Not that this is of any use to me as I'm a) not single and b) not in the US.
The NYPD uses a system very much like this, called COMPSTAT.
More about the history of the program here (clicky)
Here's an excerpt from the NYPD website:
"Among the Command and Control Center's high-tech capabilities is its computerized 'pin mapping' which displays crime, arrest and quality of life data in a host of visual formats including comparative charts, graphs and tables. Through the use of MAPINFO software and other computer technology, for example, the CompStat database can be accessed and a precinct map depicting virtually any combination of crime and/or arrest locations, crime 'hot spots' and other relevant information can be instantly projected on the Center's large video projection screens."
"For every right, an equal responsibility..."
I was able to tell the moment the Slashdot story went online... the chicagocrime.org site suddenly stopped responding. And it's not like we could have linked to a mirror.
So you'll just have to take my word for it -- it was pretty cool. I found out that there were three reported crimes at Chicago cemeteries, for example -- a theft, a trespassing, and a vandalism. Crimes at airports included a "theft by lessee" -- looks like there's somebody at Midway who you shouldn't get your rental car from.
The gas station link is holding up better, though. Hope it's not hosted at a gas station... kablooie!
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
The Chicago Police Department already has a web interface, called Citizen ICAM, which displays the same info. I do believe that the new site is compiling its data from ICAM. You can check out ICAM at http://12.17.79.6/
It let me see that one prospective condo was right in a corner of fairly low crime, bordered by much higher crime. I could have guessed that visiting the neighborhood, but it was nice to see somewhat empirically.
Most exciting phrase in science: not "Eureka!" but "Hmm... That's funny..." -Asimov (abridged for \. limits)
It's already been done.
http://kharkoma.homelinux.com/gmaps/gmaptc.html
I'll tell you what the real crime is... not submitting any mirrors! We're going to get arrested for arson on this guy's server.
Mirrordot came up empty but there does seem to be a Coral Cache available.
Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.
Having knowledge as to the whereabouts of known sexual predators in your area is not "punishing" THEM.
Being the father of two small children, I definitely am interested in the number of sexual predators in my area.
Having perused my state's Offender's registry, I was surprised by the number of repeat offenders that are still loose on the streets.
Knowing the areas that had a high concentration of rapists definitely played a part in my house hunting decisions.
When you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness. So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.
We already have PortlandMaps. You can see crime maps, tax maps, appraised value, bus routes, upcoming road improvments, much better satallite imagery... Google Maps has nothing on these guys. Every city should have something like this.
I'd been dreading the possibility that the site would get Slashdotted. Sorry 'bout the slowness, folks.
Although almost every single page of the site is cached, it's still fundamentally performance-intensive because there's a ton of data and it's very "sticky" content that's addictive to browse. The bottleneck is now at the cache level. Unfortunately I can't do anything about it now, because I'm at work.
Thanks for the attention.
Although "negro" is considered offensive (maybe parent doesn't know that), bringing up facts does not make parent racist.
Blacks are seven times more likely to commit homicide than whites.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/race.htm
Chicago really is a dangerous city. I didn't even apply to the University of Chicago (even though I had a reasonable chance of being admitted) due to the fact that the neighborhood around the college is so dangerous that students can't even leave!
E = m c^3 Don't drink and derive E = m c^3
Now, however, the sex offenders list is being used all over the place. Hell, you can't even get into Six Flags anymore if you are on that list. It's a classic case of a piece of legislation being taken to more and more extremes..
Um, not exactly. Six Flags has simply stated that sex offenders may be removed (or denied entry) to the park. They aren't checking your ID vs a sex offender list.
All amusment parks have rules about who can come in, and who can't. For example, a stereotypical "punk rocker" (leather jacket with studs, orange mohawk...) will not be allowed into Disneyland because of a "no costumes" policy.
Six Flags is just trying to cover their ass (and I think they're being silly too), but they aren't denying entry to sex offenders.
Just becase it's a dynamic site doesn't mean it won't benefit from Coral caching!
Sure, the dynamic bits still have to get through, but what about all the graphics that get served out? I know that's just bandwidth, and requires almost 0 processing on the sender's part, but it would still help when 250,000 slashdotters descend on a site at once. At least his bandwidth won't max out anywhere near as quickly.
I was able to use the site via the Coral Caching system (before it got totally zonked) and it appeared to serve data to me correctly. Am I an idiot? I mean, if you submit a novel (as in uncommon) query to the site via the cache and it responds, that proves it's at least working correctly, right? Might help, but it won't hurt.
With the first link, the chain is forged.