New Rochelle Yanks Public Access To Crime Tracking Website
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (WCBS 880) - Publishing crime statistics is apparently a double-edged sword.
Public access has been pulled from a system that tracked crime in New Rochelle and marked it with electronic map pins.
WCBS 880's Sean Adams reports from Westchester County
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First of all, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson wants you to know, "We have, today, the lowest crime rate in more than 40 years and we're one of the safest cities in america of our size."
So, then why pull the plug on an internet map that tracks criminal activity?
The police think it will keep residents informed and aware.
"Context and education is very important with any form of information that is provided," says the mayor.
The mayor and council believe raw crime statistics alone could give people the wrong impression of their city.
Instead, the city will soon roll out a crime alert notification system using e-mail.
The mayor says it will be a "crime alert that enables people to get fuller information that's tailored to where they live and the area about which they're concerned will be far more useful than a graphic presentation."
What do YOU think? Should cities publish and map raw crime statistics? Leave your comments below!
