Hotspot policing is not new by any means. Simply put, it’s the practice of allocating scarce patrol resources to areas with higher crime rates in order to deter additional crimes. The principles behind it - and its successes - are well-documented. As the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy notes, “The evidence base for hot spots policing is particularly strong.”
The name itself can vary, but hotspot policing is a core concept behind many other policing strategies. Data-driven policing, place-based policing, directed patrol, and problem-oriented policing all rely on a location component. Geolitica helps assist agencies identify hotspots at a micro level, down to the day of week and crime type. Hotspot policing brings a number of benefits to your community:
Crime reduction: Hotspot policing has been shown to be effective in reducing crime in targeted areas. Geolitica’s customers have seen year-on-year reductions of targeted crime types by up to 50% while using our platform for their hotspot targeting.
Targeted enforcement: By focusing on specific high-crime areas, hotspot policing allows law enforcement to target their efforts and resources more effectively. This is more efficient and effective than a more general, blanket or random-patrol approach to policing.
Improved perceptions of public safety: By reducing crime in high-crime areas, hotspot policing can improve public safety and increase residents’ sense of security. This can be particularly beneficial for communities that have been disproportionately affected by crime.
Community engagement: Hotspot policing can also involve working closely with the community to address the root causes of crime and address any issues that may be contributing to crime in the area. These causes could include better lighting, park cleanups, more after-school programs, mentoring, and other non-police activities. Implementing a broader range of solutions can help to build trust and foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Cost effectiveness: Hotspot policing is much more cost-effective than other policing strategies, as it uses data to help command staff focus their resources on specific areas at specific times rather than spreading them broadly. This is a particular benefit for agencies that have seen their ranks decline in recent years.
Improved intelligence gathering: By focusing on specific high-crime areas, law enforcement can gather more intelligence about the types of crime that are occurring and the individuals involved. This can help to inform future policing efforts and allow for more targeted enforcement.
Improved quality of life: Reducing crime in high-crime areas will improve the quality of life for residents and make the area more attractive to businesses and visitors. This can increase employment opportunities, reduce insurance rates, make children feel safer going to and from school, and help build trust among the residents of a community.
With the help of Geolitica’s patrol operations management platform your agency can reduce crime by making sure your officers are more effective, while also improving departmental transparency and accountability. Geolitica can help to supercharge any type of hotspot policing approach, optimizing your operations and allowing your agency to deliver a more well-rounded community policing strategy.
