by Sheriff Tim Gobble
posted October 9, 2008
Information technology is one of the most effective law enforcement tools to be developed in recent years. Since I became sheriff in 2006, the BCSO has taken advantage of new advances in technology and one of the best tools we now have at our disposal is a crime mapping and analysis program.
According to Police Chief magazine (September 2008), "Crime analysis, crime mapping, and the ability to operate in an information-sharing environment are becoming critical functions for 21st century law enforcement."
I have been interested in computerized crime mapping for some time and in 2007, we were able to implement a BCSO Crime Analysis Unit. Since then, we have been utilizing computerized crime mapping programs to plot and categorize all crime in Bradley County in order to more effectively place our resources and identify special attention areas. This allows us to deter more crime and catch more criminals, and that is reflected in lower burglary rates in Bradley County.
Dep. Travis Mull is the BCSO crime mapping expert. By utilizing ArcMap software, he is able to determine where crime is occurring in our community, as well as the time of day or night crime is most likely to take place. ArcMap is part of a geographic information system (GIS) which translates information taken from local crime reports and translates that data onto a map of Bradley County. By doing this, we can pinpoint high crime areas, what type of crimes occur in various parts of the county, and even identify where known criminals reside.
This has been a tremendous aid for patrols and investigations. By identifying problem areas, we can go in and clean them up by saturating the area with deputies and regular patrols. This is not only a more effective method of safeguarding our citizens, but a savings to the taxpayers as well because we can better place existing resources where they do the most good.
We are also using a computer program called CopLink, which links the BCSO to neighboring counties and allows us to use their crime statistics, as well as our own, to track criminals who cross jurisdictional lines. A favorite tactic of the criminal element is to prey on neighboring counties. CopLink is helping us take the advantage and stop that practice.
When he isn't mapping crime trends in the analysis room, Dep. Mull is the SRO at Taylor Elementary. He is doing a commendable job serving our community by protecting our children, as well as tracking crime and criminals, and we appreciate his efforts.
One point the article in Police Chief magazine made was particularly relevant to us here in Bradley County. The article stated, "Crime trends change with urban and community development patterns." As Bradley County continues to grow ~ and virtually every county department and public official agrees that Bradley County is experiencing rapid growth patterns ~ the more important information technology is to public safety. With our crime mapping and analysis program, we can literally see crime as we've never seen it before. Criminals usually follow the path of least resistance and if we make it hard enough on them to operate in Bradley County, if they know they will be arrested and prosecuted, they will generally choose to move elsewhere. Information technology is increasing our effectiveness and we will continue to take advantage of new computer software and techniques as they become available.
We still have space open in the upcoming BCSO Citizen Academy, so if you are interested, drop off your completed application at the Justice Center as soon as possible. The cut-off date is Dec. 1, and classes begin on Jan. 20. There is no charge to attend the Academy. If you would like to learn more about how the BCSO and other public services organizations operate, this is the perfect opportunity. Class sizes are limited to the first 25 qualified applicants, so don't wait. You can pick up an application at the Justice Center ~ 2290 Blythe Avenue ~ or download one on-line at www.bradleysheriff.com. If you would like further information, call Lt. Eddie Scoggins (423 728 7330) or Sgt. Gwen Beavers (423 728 7319).
Hope to see you all this Saturday (Oct. 11) for the second annual Sheriff’s Family Day. The event will be held at Stuart School (Keith & 20th) and promises to be even bigger than last year. We will have plenty of free food, entertainment, horseback rides, hay rides, a climbing wall, door prizes and much more. Once again our good friends, volunteers and sponsors have all come together to make this year’s Family Day another tremendous success. I appreciate everyone’s dedication and hard work. A lot of you told me how nice it is, considering the economy and the high prices everywhere, to be able to attend a community event that is completely free. I couldn’t agree more and hopefully the Sheriff’s Family Day tradition will continue to be a perfect opportunity for neighbors all over Bradley County to enjoy a family event without having to spend a lot of money.
And I hope everyone, especially our young people, will take our anti-drug message to heart. Drugs are a threat to the very fabric of society and we need to educate our children to the dangers inherent in the drug culture. Illegal drug use destroys minds, homes and lives. As your sheriff I will continue do everything in my power to stop this poison from infecting our community. Law enforcement professionals all across the nation are well aware of the correlation between drugs and crime. It is a scourge and a plague and nothing good comes from trafficking in illegal drugs or their use.
For more information about the Bradley County Sheriff's Office and our various programs, events and activities, visit our web site. If you would like to reach me directly, email me: comments@bradleysheriff.com
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