Using Online Resources to Spot Local Crime in Canada
07/22/2011
With the advent of mapping technology, it is now possible to see publicly reported crimes in your area online. Keep in mind when using these technologies that crime can occur anywhere, and our police forces are dedicated to making sure that it doesn’t happen at all.
Most online crime resources don’t give full addresses, and will only list publicly reported crimes. If you want to know if a house that you are buying has a history as a grow-op, or other detailed information, contact the local police department.
If you want a thorough analysis of your area, check all of the resources available to you, as some contain information from various agencies and media reports. All try to be the most comprehensive.
Crimereports.com
This tool is probably the most robust for those who live in a city. It lists type of crimes committed, what was taken if the crime was a theft and the date of the crime. If it is taking too long to respond, reopen the site in a different browser. Crimereports.com also offers a free mobile version of its website for the iPhone.
Spotcrime.com
This site allows you to enter your address to see what crimes have been committed in the area and sign up for email alerts for your address, just like Crimereports.com. It has less information than Crimereports.com, but is laid out a bit better and takes less time to load. It also seems to have more information on rural areas.
Your local police force
Many local police have created maps of local crime that are available on their own websites. If you go to the website of your local police force, they may have a crime mapping function. Here are examples from several cities:
• Edmonton police crime map
• Calgary police crime map
• Ottawa police service
• Toronto police crime maps
Canadian burglary rates are declining
Despite the higher visibility of crimes with our new online tools, the facts state that one of the more common crimes, burglary, is in decline. Burglary rates have been declining in Canada since 1991. You can also see how burglary rates in Canada compare to other countries with this interactive map.
How can I use this information?
Besides being interesting to know, being aware of which crimes happen in your neighborhood can help you guard against the most common ones. If break-ins are common, you’ll know to make sure to arm your alarm system at night. If theft from a vehicle is common, you’ll be more conscious of locking your car doors. The point is not to be afraid, but to use the technology at your disposal to your advantage.
One of the best uses of these online resources is to check out a neighborhood before you move into it. A beautiful, tree-lined street may look innocent, but actually be home to a criminal element. Find this out before you buy your house. Remember that more goes into a bad neighbourhood than a few crimes. Be on the lookout for repeated drug offences and violent crimes, not just a few vehicle break-ins.
Alarm monitoring services
If you are concerned about the crime that you see in your area, Reliance Protectron has alarm monitoring systems with many features like live agents available at the touch of a button. Our two-way voice alarm service makes communication possible without a telephone directly from your alarm panel, which saves valuable time in the event of an emergency. In addition to our services, Reliance Protectron clients are given free information on preventing crime and accidents in the home with our Life Safety program.
Whatever the crime is, a reliable home alarm system will help you to guard against it. Give us a call today to find out how Reliance Protectron can help protect your family.
Most online crime resources don’t give full addresses, and will only list publicly reported crimes. If you want to know if a house that you are buying has a history as a grow-op, or other detailed information, contact the local police department.
If you want a thorough analysis of your area, check all of the resources available to you, as some contain information from various agencies and media reports. All try to be the most comprehensive.
Crimereports.com
This tool is probably the most robust for those who live in a city. It lists type of crimes committed, what was taken if the crime was a theft and the date of the crime. If it is taking too long to respond, reopen the site in a different browser. Crimereports.com also offers a free mobile version of its website for the iPhone.
Spotcrime.com
This site allows you to enter your address to see what crimes have been committed in the area and sign up for email alerts for your address, just like Crimereports.com. It has less information than Crimereports.com, but is laid out a bit better and takes less time to load. It also seems to have more information on rural areas.
Your local police force
Many local police have created maps of local crime that are available on their own websites. If you go to the website of your local police force, they may have a crime mapping function. Here are examples from several cities:
• Edmonton police crime map
• Calgary police crime map
• Ottawa police service
• Toronto police crime maps
Canadian burglary rates are declining
Despite the higher visibility of crimes with our new online tools, the facts state that one of the more common crimes, burglary, is in decline. Burglary rates have been declining in Canada since 1991. You can also see how burglary rates in Canada compare to other countries with this interactive map.
How can I use this information?
Besides being interesting to know, being aware of which crimes happen in your neighborhood can help you guard against the most common ones. If break-ins are common, you’ll know to make sure to arm your alarm system at night. If theft from a vehicle is common, you’ll be more conscious of locking your car doors. The point is not to be afraid, but to use the technology at your disposal to your advantage.
One of the best uses of these online resources is to check out a neighborhood before you move into it. A beautiful, tree-lined street may look innocent, but actually be home to a criminal element. Find this out before you buy your house. Remember that more goes into a bad neighbourhood than a few crimes. Be on the lookout for repeated drug offences and violent crimes, not just a few vehicle break-ins.
Alarm monitoring services
If you are concerned about the crime that you see in your area, Reliance Protectron has alarm monitoring systems with many features like live agents available at the touch of a button. Our two-way voice alarm service makes communication possible without a telephone directly from your alarm panel, which saves valuable time in the event of an emergency. In addition to our services, Reliance Protectron clients are given free information on preventing crime and accidents in the home with our Life Safety program.
Whatever the crime is, a reliable home alarm system will help you to guard against it. Give us a call today to find out how Reliance Protectron can help protect your family.
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