Bair Software Launches a Next-Generation National Crime Mapping Service –- And it’s Free

Highlands Ranch, CO (PRWEB) March 16, 2010 -- Bair Software today introduced RAIDS Online (www.raidsonline.com), a revolutionary internet-based public crime mapping service that is free to law enforcement and the public. RAIDS Online maps and analyzes crime data, alerts the public about crimes in their area, and allows law enforcement to quickly alert the public about crimes as they occur. RAIDS Online’s integrated map, data grid and analytics dashboard updates dynamically as users filter crimes that matter most to them.

RAIDS Online provides maps, statistics, graphs and charts of crime throughout the country in addition to local views of crime. Community members can create their own individualized crime maps by searching for crimes in their neighborhood, adjusting dates, and choosing the types of crime that are displayed on the map. National level crime statistics, including crime rate by state and county, allow the public to see crime trends around the United States.

“Our first goal for RAIDS Online is to offer an economical way for law enforcement agencies to share information with the public they serve.” says company founder, Sean Bair, a former police officer and crime analyst. “Our second goal is to provide citizens a way to get information about crime in their community so that they can be better informed. Having an awareness of the true nature and volume of crime in one’s community is the first step to its prevention and suppression. Both goals foster Community Policing; something we strongly believe in.”

Pricing and availability

RAIDS Online is offered as a free service to law enforcement and the public. At present, most agencies spend thousands of dollars annually to provide even the most basic crime map to their community. Any Law Enforcement agency can share their crime data with RAIDS Online at no cost, with no setup fees or obligations. Bair added, “We wanted to do something to help law enforcement in these tough economic times. We consider this a basic service that we are more than happy to provide to the public and our law enforcement friends.” Law enforcement agencies can start sharing their data with the public immediately.

How it works

RAIDS Online syncs with a participating agency’s records systems to automatically upload crime information as frequent as hourly. These automatic uploads keep the crime information on the maps current, a big plus for community members.

Mapping features

RAIDS Online leverages Google Maps to display the location and basic information for crimes in any geographic area of interest to the user. RAIDS Online’s vibrant colored maps, icons and symbols work together to deliver easy-to-read crime information at all zoom levels, from a national level down to the citizen’s neighborhood.

Analytic features

Citizens can use the analytical tools to find patterns and trends of crimes in their community – or even across the nation. Visually stunning and informative graphs help users visualize crime trends in their area. Graphs automatically update based on the data that is displayed on the map, giving the user full control over what data is analyzed. Citizens who use RAIDS Online to become aware of crime trends can make more informed decisions regarding where they live, shop, play, send their kids to school and other important choices regarding their personal safety.

Educational features

RAIDS Online is backed by the RAIDS Blog, a compilation of useful information, news articles and insights posted directly from officers and crime analysts from around the United States and Canada. The RAIDS Blog includes simple lessons that help the public use RAIDS Online, as well as information about how to interpret some of RAIDS Online’s more advanced analytical features.

Improved communication between the public and law enforcement

RAIDS Online helps local law enforcement communicate directly with the public through Citizen on Patrol (COP), a free emergency alert service that allows law enforcement to send emails and text messages directly to the public with important and timely crime information. These messages can include current crime bulletins or Citizen BOLO’s (Be On the Look Out) that need to be communicated immediately to the public to enlist their help in finding suspect vehicles, missing persons or to make the public aware of an emerging crime series in their neighborhood. The public can also sign up for neighborhood crime alerts to receive weekly or daily emails with a breakdown of crimes in their area.

Anyone can visit the new national crime map, or request that their local law enforcement agency participate, at www.raidsonline.com.

About Bair Software

For more than 20 years, Bair Software Inc. has provided cutting-edge analytical software, consulting and training solutions for law enforcement, public safety, national defense and academic institutions worldwide. For more information, visit www.bairsoftware.com.

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