Interactive map shows crime incidents in Hollywood

Search trends within a mile of address

By Ihosvani Rodriguez | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

January 6, 2008

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Hollywood residents can keep a closer eye on crime trends in their neighborhoods thanks to a new computer program.

The Police Department last month launched an interactive map on the department's Web site that allows anyone to look up crime and incident reports by neighborhood.

Users simply have to type in an address, and the program will display a map indicating incidents that have been reported within a mile radius.

The program, CrimeView, places icons on the street map representing reported crimes — from homicides to vandalism. When computer users click on the icon, the program displays the case number and the time and date the incident was reported. The program also allows users to print a chart summarizing crimes in the area.

"It's a tool that allows residents to be more aware of what is going on," said department spokesman Sgt. Manny Marino. "If people find out there has been a string of burglaries down the street, they will probably want to take some extra safety steps."

The department uses a more sophisticated version of the program to keep tabs on crime trends, Marino said.

In June 2006, city commissioners approved spending about $116,000 to purchase the program. The funds come from general obligation bonds city voters approved in 2004.

When the idea was introduced, some commissioners were weary about the program because they feared the information might affect property values in certain neighborhoods. But police now say the crime map is being embraced by neighborhood groups, city leaders and business owners throughout the city.

Among them is Asa Boynton, a crime-fighting civic activist who says he has been asking for a way to gauge crime for years.

"This will help us know exactly what is going on," Boynton said. "And when the politicians tell you that crime is down, you can point to the map and know what the real story is."

Ihosvani Rodriguez can be reached at ijrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7908.

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