New
York City Department of Probation now deploys ESRI's geographic
information system software to more effectively manage caseloads, track
high-risk probationers, and share information with other law enforcement divisions.
Redlands,
California-New
York City Department of Probation (NYCDOP) now deploys ESRI's geographic
information system (GIS) software to more effectively manage caseloads, track
high-risk probationers, and share information with other law enforcement divisions. GIS
provides data to identify probation officer caseloads by precinct, ZIP Code, and
borough; maps probationers, rearrests, and new crime locations to help allocate
resources; and allows probationer data to be visualized to aid in both
investigation and apprehension of violators.
"We're
better prepared to keep crime down and understand probation issues using GIS,"
says Alphonzo Albright, chief information officer, New York City Department of
Probation. "Probation departments are underfunded yet still responsible for
preserving public safety. The reengineering of information technology at our
department has been a significant factor in smart planning. GIS has played a
role here. Geocoding caseloads and providing strategic maps help in this
process."
With
35 staff members, including consultants, NYCDOP's IT group is accountable for
the management of office automation tasks. This includes desktop software and
support, network implementation, application development, and information
management. The department has numerous information needs. It serves more than
60,000 adult probationers and 25,000 juveniles each year. Annually, it provides
40,000 Pre-Sentence Investigations (PSI) for the Supreme and Criminal courts as
well as 7,000 Investigations and Recommendations (I&R) reports for the
Family Court.
GIS
provides a rich, intuitive, map-based interface to identify probation officer
caseloads by precinct, ZIP Code, and borough. The system, using ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcInfo) software, pulls
data from the department's Reusable Case Management System (RCMS) crime
database, geocodes it, and provides query and analysis capability. The maps and
data generated by Albright and his staff are supplied to probation officers
either in paper format or digitally via e-mail.
GIS
maps can show probationer locations as well as the locations of probationer
rearrests. A visual representation of neighborhoods where these new crimes are
taking place can help in planning where to place additional resources to prevent
probation violations, make arrests when necessary, and deter
crime.
Probation
officers can visualize caseloads geographically to quickly identify high-risk
probationers that require special attention. Mapped data can also help with
probationer compliance issues. A probation officer can see where a probationer
resides in relationship to schools, liquor stores, gun stores, known drug
trafficking areas, other probationers, and a host of other
criteria.
For
someone who has violated terms of probation, data such as last known residence,
place of employment, addresses of known family members and associates, and the
location of previous arrests can be visualized and overlaid to aid in both
investigation and apprehension.
For
probation managers, visualized data can help determine how to assign cases to
field officers so they have a smaller geographic range to cover. This can enable
probation officers to minimize driving time and maximize contacts with the
people in their caseloads.
Of
equal importance, mapping is used for monthly Statistical Tracking Analysis and
Reporting System (STARS) meetings, where probation managers come together to go
over the previous month's activities and plan future actions. Maps help
accurately render data in an intuitive format that can be understood by everyone
involved in the meeting.
The
second phase in the use of ArcGIS by NYCDOP will include significant
enhancements in the types of analysis that will be performed and the method for
accessing the system.
New York City Probation Department Operates More Effectively with ESRI GIS
November 11, 2008
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