Coppell PD Launches New Online Crime Mapping System

COPPELL (CBSDFW.COM) - A North Texas police department is using technology to help residents protect themselves and help the department solve crimes.

Coppell police now have a crime map available on their website. Residents can use the map to find out about major crimes going on in the community.

"They can either enter an address and see what crimes have happened in their neighborhood or they can look at crimes throughout the town," Coppell police Captain Shawn Fullagar explained. "They can analyze any time period they want."

When website visitors click on a particular incident a popup tells them what type of crime occurred and the hundred block where it happened. The date and time of the offense is also listed and there's a link for individuals to submit an anonymous tip.

"People can send in anonymous tips and an additional bonus for us is we can respond back through the system and ask further questions and they can still remain anonymous, because we don't know who they are," Fullagar said.

Officials with Coppell police said their hope is that the website will help strengthen the relationship between citizens and police. They said the crime map also gives residents an opportunity to be proactive.

"It helps us if they will look at the crime map and see that, for example, a string of car burglaries has been occurring in their area. They then know that they need to lock and take all the stuff out of their car," Fullagar said.

Residents can also sign up to receive crime alerts/updates by email or on their mobile phone.

Some of the other North Texas police departments that utilize the same online crime maps include Fort Worth, Euless, Highland Village, Farmers Branch and Collin County.