Predicting crime with Predpol

Several counties in the US are using it, the PredPol software. Besides cities like Santa Monica and Los Angeles is Seattle using the software. In the cities where they use this smart software there’s a drop of criminality; statistics show that less raids and burglaries took place. According to the people of Predpol this is off course a direct consequence of their program, but there are also some critics that say there’s another explanation for it.

However, I think the use of Big Data and technology will help to prevent crime. Predpol is an example how to use new technologies in a smart way. They use software that is also used to detect aftershocks of earthquakes. Besides this algorithm they make use of existing (Big) data of the police forces. In real time. The software enables the local police ánd to prevent crime ánd to solve crime real quick in the cases it wasn’t prevented. In Santa Cruz, California, this software caused a drop in criminality of 25%.

Real time crime forecast

In the video below a crime analyst of the Santa Cruz PD explains the working of the software. On a map PredPol forecast highest risk times and places for future crimes. The local PD can act upon that, real time. The software specializes in burglaries and thefts, more crime types will follow. More than ten US cities are using the PredPol software, and more will follow. Impressive.