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Mapping software helps police track where crimes occur most frequently RELATED VIDEO CNN's Ann Kellan explains a new method of tracking crimes and how to forecast a crime Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K Austin, Texas, police chief Stanley Knee talks about dealing with smaller issues before they become more serious crimes Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

February 11, 1999
Web posted at: 10:14 a.m. EST (1514 GMT)

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) -- Police in many parts of the United States are using computers to help them track crime trends and pinpoint problem areas in their communities. Now, researchers in Austin are studying whether this same technology can also be used as a crystal ball of sorts -- to help predict where future crimes will occur.

Austin Police Chief Stanley Knee says crime-mapping software can analyze a substantial number of statistics, then use that information to create maps that identify areas where there is a high probability of crime occurring. ( 279 K/13 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

Twenty-year veteran police officer Jim Minton says such software helps the cop on the beat know where to patrol.

"This is one of our hot spots for crack dealing," says Minton, pointing to an area of the computerized map. "We can go right into this hot spot."

University of Texas researchers are attempting to use the software to help predict where violent crimes could happen next -- from vandalism to murders.

Police can increase patrols in high-crime areas based on mapping data

There's a theory that where public nuisance misdemeanor crimes occur -- e.g., public intoxication, disorderly conduct, graffiti, and panhandling -- more serious and violent crimes will likely follow.

It's known as the "broken window" theory, says researcher William Kelly of the University of Texas.

"The idea is that where disorder occurs ... that sends the message that this area is not being monitored," Kelly says. ( 295 K/14 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

Knee says he already supports the theory, since 50 percent of those committing misdemeanors in Austin have previous felony arrests and 38 percent have been arrested for assault.

Frequent misdemeanors in one area, like panhandling, may point to a larger problem

If given the chance, he says, they are more likely to commit violent acts again.

Kelly and his team plan to spend the next two years marking crimes on their high-tech map to see if their theory holds up -- and whether this technology can help communities and law enforcement officials forecast where the next serious crimes may occur.

CorrespondentAnn Kellancontributed to this report.

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