Police Department

What is CrimeReports.com?

CrimeReports.com is an online mapping and analysis service provided by Public Engines, Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. It combines the value of police data with the ease-of-use of Google-based mapping and an analytics module so that members of the public can view police data in a high-impact map or summary descriptive format. Members of the public may also sign up to receive free email alerts based on user-defined parameters (e.g., geography, crime types, frequency, etc.).

What type of UCLA Police Department (UCPD) data is used in CrimeReports.com?

The CrimeReports.com service utilizes report data from the UCPD Records Management System (RMS). RMS is a highly specialized application that allows for the coordinated communication, assignment, and tracking of Police Department reports.

What specific types of data from RMS are used in CrimeReports.com?

Report data is utilized for CrimeReports.com, including the following data fields: report number, date and time occurred, location, and nature of crime.

Is there a description for the RMS data fields included in CrimeReports.com?

Yes. This includes:

• Report Number: Electronically generated by the Police Department’s RMS system, this number catalogues all police reports. The report number consists of six numbers. In the following example report number, 14-0123, 14 = year and 0123 = sequential report number beginning with 0001 on January 1 of each year.
• Date & Time Occurred: This is the date and time that the incident first occurred. In the following example, 25 Feb 2014 @ 13:10:27, the incident occurred on February 25, 2014, at 1:10:27 PM (Note: The time is expressed in 24-hour format.).
• Location: This is the 100th block address and intersection information. CrimeReports.com translates address data into block level data. This means that if an incident occurs at 123 Main Street, it will show up as 100 Block Main Street in the CrimeReports.com application. Block ranges are used to provide confidentiality for victims. The location of the icon on the map is approximate based on the block range for any given street; it does not represent the actual location of the crime. Some location fields may be populated with “address could not be mapped” if the data was not geo-processed accurately. The following table provides several examples to demonstrate the block translation process:

• Nature of Crime: This is the type of report filed. If multiple crimes occurred, only the most serious crime will be listed, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) hierarchy rules. Additional information can be found at http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr:

*Effective January 1, 2013, rape is defined as, “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

I called UCPD to report a crime or request assistance for an issue not occurring at my location, but the icon on the map reflects the location from which my call was placed (my residence) and not the location of where I reported the crime to have occurred. Why doesn't the map reflect the location of where the event actually occurred?

The CrimeReports.com application receives location information from the Department’s Records Management System (RMS). Data from the RMS system is based on information provided by the reporting person. Some crimes, such as identity theft, are classified as occurring at the victim’s residence even though the actual identity theft may not have occurred there. All location information is geo-processed to the 100th block or to the nearest intersection.

In some instances, the location of the report on CrimeReports.com may not represent the actual location of the crime. Some courtesy reports may plot near a hospital or police station where the victim filed the report. Generally, the location of the crime will be updated in the RMS system if/when it becomes available. Crime data is updated every morning.

How can I use the data from CrimeReports.com in support of community safety goals?

Data from CrimeReports.com can be reviewed and used to improve community safety. CrimeReports.com data is appropriate to consider and discuss as part of coordinated crime prevention initiatives. Members of the community are encouraged to continue partnering and problem-solving with UCPD while using CrimeReports.com data toward shared police-community goals.

Is every RMS report included in CrimeReports.com?

Not every RMS report is included in CrimeReports.com. Some reports are not displayed due to victim confidentiality or if disclosure may jeopardize an ongoing police investigation.

How often is data updated in CrimeReports.com?

CrimeReports.com data is updated automatically once per day and contains the most recent six months days of data online.

I am having trouble or questions about using the CrimeReports.com website?

For questions and support, go to: http://www.crimereports.com, or for general inquiries, email: info@crimereports.com.

What are the minimum Browser requirements to use CrimeReports.com?

The CrimeReports.com system takes advantage of advanced features that are only available in more recent versions of web browsers. To ensure an optimal experience while using the site, you may need to update your web browser. All of the listed browsers can be downloaded for free:

Windows Users
The CrimeReports.com system supports the following web browsers:

• Firefox 9 or newer (Firefox is recommended for best performance)
• Google Chrome 16
• Safari 5.1.2
• Internet Explorer 8 or newer

Macintosh Users
The CrimeReports.com system supports the following web browsers:

• Firefox 9 or newer (Firefox is recommended for best performance)
• Google Chrome 16
• Safari 5.1.2

Linux Users
The CrimeReports.com system supports the following web browsers:

• Firefox 9 or newer (Firefox is recommended for best performance)

In addition, Java script and Cookies must be enabled to use the site. These features are usually enabled by default.

Does CrimeReports.com have a FAQ site?

Yes. FAQ and other related information (e.g., company, partners, legal) can be found near the bottom of the CrimeReports.com site at http://www.crimereports.com/

Does CrimeReports.com have a DISCLAIMER?

Yes. Disclaimer: The information displayed on this website is susceptible to some degree of error due to the collection, entry, and geo-processing of the data. No warranty or guarantee is made nor implied regarding the content, geographic accuracy, timeliness, completeness, sequence, or accuracy of any of the information provided herein. The reader should not rely on the data provided herein for any reason. The information is provided strictly as a courtesy to the public.