CrimeBase is a publicly-accessible, web-based, geographic data application
developed by the University of Pennsylvania's Cartographic Modeling Lab.
Along with parcelBase, neighborhoodBase and muralBase, crimeBase is one of
four applications that comprise the Neighborhood Information System. The
crimeBase website is designed to assist community-based planning and development
organizations, government agencies, researchers and concerned individuals in their
efforts to analyze, transform and revitalize Philadelphia neighborhoods.
CrimeBase directly supports the broad policy analysis and planning efforts Mayor Street's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. The online mapping, reporting and data analysis tools can be used to focus in on a specific zip code, census tract or block group. Users are able to create tables, maps, charts, queries, summary statistics and trends. In addition, users can create their own geographic boundaries by “defining your own neighborhood” and produce aggregated statistics for that area.
CrimeBase's user-friendly format and simple instructions keeps training requirements to a minimum. Because it is a web-based application, no special hardware or software is required (recommended web-browser: Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher using a Windows platform). New users have the power to access, analyze and map a wide range of area data drawn from the Census Bureau and the Philadelphia Police Department. Currently, CrimeBase incorporates over 95 data elements, grouped into two categories:
- Police Department Data
- U.S. Census Data
Data elements will be periodically updated and new data elements will be added as they become available. Users can view and analyze these data elements using several different statistical and graphical tools, and in the context of the following geographic units:
- Councilmanic Districts
- Elementary School Feeder Areas
- NIS Neighborhoods
- Zip Codes
- Census Tracts
- Census Block Groups
- Police Districts
- Police Sectors
For more information about the Cartographic Modeling Lab and the Neighborhood Information System project, go to our web page at www.cml.upenn.edu.
Acknowledgements
CrimeBase was made possible by funding from:
- William Penn Foundation
- University of Pennsylvania
The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department are invaluable partners for the entire Neighborhood Information System project, including CrimeBase. Data, policy and other technical support have been provided by:
- Mayor's Office of Information Services
- Philadelphia City Planning Commission
- Philadelphia Police Department
About the Cartographic Modeling Laboratory
The Cartographic Modeling Laboratory, a joint venture of the School of Social Policy & Practice and School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania, is dedicated to solving urban problems through the development of web-based geographic information systems and spatial data analysis tools.
Cartographic Modeling Laboratory
University of Pennsylvania
School of Social Policy & Practice
200 Caster Building
3701 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6214
Tel (215) 573-4098 Fax (215) 573-3019
Web http://cml.upenn.edu
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