State to put crime reports on people's computer desktops

A new online crime reporting service promises to put the pulse of neighborhood criminal activity at residents' fingertips.

The state has teamed up with the private Web site CrimeReports.com to provide a free-to-the-public online mapping service which will give residents a history of crimes over the last 30 days, from homicides and violent robberies to assaults, sex offenses and vehicle burglaries.

The online service makes Utah the first state in the nation to offer a state-sponsored service. CrimeReports.com has teamed up with individual cities, such as San Jose, as well as Washington D.C.

The company's system of using local crime data from law enforcement agencies with Google Maps software has left Utah law enforcement and lawmakers speechless.

"Wow," was the first response Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, expressed about the service. Oda is vice chair of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee.

Residents can input their address, and the Web site will pull up a map with the general locations of crimes in their area. Users can filter specific crimes or just view reported crimes within a week, 14 or 30 days. The site is also tied into the Utah Sex Offender Registry and shows the addresses of sex offenders, including a photo, physical description, name and date of birth of the offender.

Users can also create their own profiles and receive crime alerts in their neighborhood via e-mail, said Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff during a press conference at the Utah Capitol Wednesday.

Flanked by lawmakers and law enforcement representatives, Shurtleff said the new site will keep residents updated on criminal activity and hopefully involved with law enforcement to fight crime.

"Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to finding out if your neighborhood is safe," Shurtleff said. "CrimeReports.com will arm Utahns with the information they need to protect their families."

Shurtleff said the effort to make the service available was a bi-partisan effort among lawmakers and a coordinated effort among most of Utah's 140 law enforcement agencies.

"This Web site will give Utahns an important tool to learn if their neighborhood is safe," said House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy. "A better informed public will also help individual neighborhoods work with law enforcement to tackle crime problems."