Major Crime Map Help Documentation This web application is designed to make it easier to visualize and understand crime trends in Overland Park. The data for this application are generally limited to relatively serious crimes (sometimes referred to as Part 1 Crimes ) and do not include many misdemeanor violations such as traffic citations, loitering or disturbing the peace. In addition, only events that result in a police report are shown. Calls for service that do not result in an official report are not included. Crimes are grouped into the following categories: aggravated assault, arson, auto burglary, auto theft, commercial burglary, kidnapping, murder, rape, residential burglary, robbery, sex offenses, theft, and vandalism. In some cases, the details of a crime report will be revised or refined over time including possible changes to the way a particular crime is categorized or the specific date on which a crime occurred. A single crime incident may include multiple crimes, however, the map and charts reflect only the most serious crime for each incident. This application is not intended to facilitate the investigation of any particular crime nor is it intended to be a source of detailed crime data for research purposes. Instead, it is intended to provide an overview of general crime patterns and trends in an area and over a time span defined by the user. Contact the Crime Analysis Unit in the Police Department (913-327-6966) if more detailed information is needed. To protect the privacy of crime victims, the map does not show the locations for rape or sex crimes. The locations of other types of crimes should be considered approximate. This document provides a detailed description of how this web application works and how its parameters can be adjusted to meet varying user needs. Selecting a subset of crimes When the application is first started, the crime data that is shown is for the entire City of Overland Park for the past month. However, most users are likely to want a selection that is more focused on a particular area within the community. In the upper left corner of the application, is a boxed area with the Selected Crimes tab highlighted. By adjusting the controls in this box, the user can alter both the timeframe for which crimes are shown and the geographic area in which crimes are located. The controls next to the Where label allow you to define the geographic area in which you are interested. There are three general options: (1) the Full City, (2) a Specific Location (such as an address) plus a circular area around that location, or (3) a Specific Area (such as a neighborhood) and an optional surrounding area. The input controls for a Specific Location are shown by default, but the other options can be accessed simply by clicking on the bar with the appropriate label. Full City: Click on the Full City bar and the map will zoom out to the full extent of the City and the crime data will reflect all major crimes in the City for whatever time period you have selected. Specific Location (Point + Radius): In the Search box, type an address or intersection (do not use punctuation). As you type, a list of suggested matches will appear below and the more you type the more refined the list will become. At any point, you can click on an address/intersection to complete the search entry, or if the location that you want is at the top of the list simply hit the enter key. If the Search box background turns red, it means that you have either made a typing mistake 1
or the location is not in our database (example formats: 7100 W 95 th St or for an intersection: 95 th St and Metcalf Ave). Select the radius around the location that you want by clicking the appropriate radio button (¼-mile, ½-mile or 1-mile). The map will zoom into the selected location (marked with a blue push pin symbol) and draw the appropriate radius. Crimes within the radius and within the chosen timeframe will become the selected crimes, will be shown with a gray diamond symbol on the map, and will be the basis for both charts. Specific Place (Area + Optional Radius): In the Search box, type a place name (e.g. Oak Park Shopping Center). The system is programmed to recognize the names of large residential subdivisions, apartment complexes, and commercial developments. City council wards and neighborhood conservation areas are also included. As you type, a list of suggested matches will appear below and the more you type the more refined the list will become. At any point, you can click on a place name to complete the search entry, or if the location that you want is at the top of the list simply hit the enter key. If the Search box background turns red, it means that you have either made a typing mistake or the location is not in our database. Select the radius around the location that you want by clicking the appropriate radio button (0 miles, ¼-mile or ½-mile). The map will zoom to the selected area and draw the appropriate radius. Selecting 0 miles as the radius means that only crimes within the boundary of the place itself will be selected. Choosing the ¼-mile or ½-mile options will extend the area of the place in all directions by the chosen distance. Crimes within the area you define will be shown with a gray diamond symbol on the map and will be the basis for both charts. Next to the When label are date entry boxes for the starting and ending dates that define the timeframe in which you are interested. The minimum time frame is one month and the maximum time frame is one year. Click in either of the date boxes and a calendar control 2
appears. Use the arrow buttons to change the visible month and click on the desired day of the month to select a date. Using this section, you can easily view crime patterns for a particular month or quarter, or for nearly any period within the past year. Understanding the Map The map displays a gray diamond symbol that represents the approximate location of each reported crime within the timeframe and geographic area that you selected. Darker shades of gray indicate that multiple crime incidents were reported at the same location. Crimes outside of the timeframe you have selected (but within the past year) or outside of the area you have selected are still shown with a small gray dot to provide context, but are not included in any of the accompanying charts. You can zoom the map in or out by clicking on the Zoom Slider in the upper left corner either by moving the orange slider triangle or by clicking the +/- buttons. You can move the map in any direction by doing a click+drag action with the cursor. The map has background colors that represent the general land use pattern (for example, light yellow is low-density residential and light red is commercial). Click on the Legend tab in the upper left corner for a complete explanation of the background colors and crime symbols. Understanding the land use pattern can often provide insight into crime locations (e.g., commercial property often has more crime than residential property). Understanding the Distribution by Type of Crime Chart The pie chart immediately below the Selected Crimes area shows a breakdown of the selected crimes by category of crime. A generalized description of each crime category can be found at the end of this document. The label for each category includes the number of crime incidents in parentheses. If you hover the mouse cursor over a particular slice of the pie chart, the corresponding crime locations are highlighted on the map with a yellow halo. If you are particularly interested in Auto Burglary, for example, hovering over that slice of the pie chart will show the locations of all of the auto burglary cases. There is often a strong correlation between the way land is used and specific categories of crime. Understanding the Crime Trend Over Time Chart Across the bottom of the application is a bar chart that shows crime trends for the chosen area over a two year time frame. Important Note: this chart is not affected by the When settings in the Selected Crimes box. It will always show two full years of crime information starting with the most recent full month. The green bars reflect data from the most recent 12 months and the 3
yellow bars reflect data from the 12 months before that. This chart is designed to help answer several time-based types of questions, such as: (1) is the overall crime level increasing or decreasing over time? (2) is the overall crime level greater or less than the previous year? (3) is the overall crime level for a particular month significantly higher or lower than what might be expected? or (4) does the overall crime level reflect seasonal variations? Data Sources and Disclaimer The information presented in this application is limited to serious crimes where the Police Department has filed an official report. The data is updated each night and so is current as of the previous day. Crime reports can change during an investigation, including possible changes to the way a crime is categorized or the date on which the crime actually occurred. The maps and information provided by this Web site are based on data created by the City of Overland Park, the Johnson County Automated Information Mapping System (AIMS) and other government agencies. While Overland Park, AIMS and the other participating agencies have no indication or reason to believe that there are significant inaccuracies in the information presented, the data is presented "as is" and there is no representation of any kind by Overland Park, AIMS or any other participating agency that the data is accurate or is fit for any particular use. No warranty, explicit or implied, exists with respect to the information or graphic representations provided by this Web site. In no event shall the City of Overland Park, AIMS or other participating agency become liable to users of these data, or any other party, for any loss or damages, consequential or otherwise, arising from the use, operation or interpretation of the data. In using these data, users further agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City of Overland Park, AIMS and other participating agencies for any and all liability of any nature arising out of or resulting from the lack of accuracy or correctness of the data, or the use of the data. Crime Categories Aggravated Assault: An unlawful attack of one person on another where the offender displays a weapon or where serious injury is involved. Arson: To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage property by fire or incendiary device. Auto Burglary: The unlawful entry into a vehicle to commit a theft (whether locked or not). Auto Theft: Stealing or attempting to steal a motor vehicle. Commercial Burglary: The unlawful entry into a commercial building with the intent to commit a felony or theft. Kidnapping: The interference with another person s liberty (e.g., taking them or detaining them) without consent or legal authority. Murder: The willful killing of one person by another. Rape: The carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will. Residential Burglary: The unlawful entry into a residential building with the intent to commit a felony or theft. 4
Robbery: Taking or attempting to take something of value from another person by force or threat of force. Sex Offenses: All offenses of a sexual nature not classified as rape, including sexual battery and indecent exposure. Theft: The unlawful taking of property from another (includes shoplifting). Vandalism: The willful or malicious destruction (or defacing) of public or private property. 5