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Crime Map Puts Anchorage Data Online

New Internet tool gives easy access to information.

In an on-going effort to take advantage of technology and provide information to the public in a timely manner, the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), Alaska, has launched a new crime map on its Web site. By going to the site, users can enter a specific address and see what crimes occurred in the area the previous day.

The Anchorage Police Department will send the daily reports of reported crimes to the MOA's Information Technology Department, and the website will be updated at 4 a.m. seven days a week. The crime map includes data on 18 different crime categories.

"We've heard from the public and some members of the media that they'd like to have more timely data on crime statistics. We think the crime map is a great tool and will provide the public with an open and transparent way to look at crime data," Mayor Mark Begich said.

In designing the MOA site, city officials looked at crime map sites in other cities including Fresno, Los Angeles and Chicago. The Anchorage crime map shows the crimes reported in a given area, but not by specific street address because of various laws that protect the identity of crime victims.

"The police department is pleased to be able to provide this type of information to the public," said Police Chief Rob Heun. "This will be a good addition to our efforts to stay connected with the public and help them stay aware of what's going on in our city."