In an era where data-driven decision-making is paramount, crime risk assessment has become an essential tool. Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) offers a comprehensive dataset known as CrimeRisk, which provides detailed insights into crime patterns across the United States. Retailers and businesses can assess crime risk in potential locations to make informed decisions about where to establish new operations, balancing safety with profitability. This article explores the significance of AGS CrimeRisk data, its methodology, and its applications.
What is AGS CrimeRisk?
AGS CrimeRisk is a proprietary dataset that quantifies the likelihood of different types of crime occurring in specific geographic areas across the U.S. It is not a database of crime occurrence, but rather, the relative risk of any location compared to the United States average.
It is derived from an extensive analysis of several years of crime reports from the vast majority of law enforcement jurisdictions nationwide. The crimes included in the database are major crimes that include murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. These categories are the primary reporting categories used by the FBI in its Uniform Crime Report (UCR), with the exception of Arson, for which data is very inconsistently reported on at the jurisdictional level. The data is updated regularly, ensuring that users have access to the most current information available.
Methodology Behind CrimeRisk Data
AGS employs a robust methodology to develop its CrimeRisk assessments:
- Data Collection: AGS aggregates crime data from various sources, including FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), local law enforcement agencies, and other public databases. This ensures a comprehensive view of crime statistics across regions.
- Statistical Modeling: The collected data is analyzed using sophisticated statistical techniques to identify trends and correlations.
- Geospatial Analysis: By integrating geographic information systems (GIS), AGS can visualize crime risk data spatially, allowing users to understand crime patterns in relation to specific neighborhoods, districts, or cities.
- Risk Index Creation: The final output is a CrimeRisk Index that categorizes areas based on their risk levels for various crime types.
Limitations and Considerations
While AGS CrimeRisk data provides valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations:
- Data Completeness: The accuracy of the CrimeRisk index is dependent on the quality and completeness of the underlying crime data. Areas with underreported crimes may not be adequately represented.
- Temporal Changes: Crime patterns can shift rapidly due to various factors, including economic changes or community interventions. Regular updates are crucial for maintaining accuracy.
- Contextual Factors: While the data accounts for various demographic factors, it may not fully capture the nuances of community dynamics, such as cultural impact.
FAQ
The results are published as independent 100-based indexes, so it can easily be compared to the national average for any particular crime.
United States only. The data is provided at from the block group level all the way up to National level.
CrimeRisk is a licensed database. Please contact the
Sitewise team for more information.