Crime Mapping Unit

The Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA) Crime Mapping Unit supports its participating agencies, 49 internal W/B HIDTA initiatives and the W/B HIDTA region’s other law enforcement efforts with sophisticated crime mapping and analysis services. Its staff utilizes the latest developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and cutting-edge geographic analysis techniques, with existing crime related databases to help law enforcement agencies achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in their enforcement efforts.

Map Products and Analysis

The Crime Mapping Unit provides mapping and spatial analysis services for all participating law enforcement agencies within the W/B HIDTA region. The unit’s map products serve a wide variety of applications. Maps displaying the location of recent crime events can be used in targeting enforcement efforts in areas where they are most needed. Simple maps, such as those containing aerial imagery, can help in planning operations.

The Crime Mapping Unit also assists agencies in evaluating the effects of law enforcement operations. By gathering and mapping data on crime and drug related activity over time in a given area, the Cime Mapping Unit’s staff can show law enforcement personnel whether or not their operations are achieving the desired results and observe trends in drug trafficking and related criminal activity.

Typical Map Products

• Pin Maps
• Identifying Geographic Hotspots
• Aerial Imagery
• Cell Phone Location Maps
• Courtroom Map Graphics
• Operation Planning Maps
• Animations of Crime Events
• Repeat Address Maps
• Mapping Resources

Mapping Resources

In order to provide clients with accurate and effective maps the W/B HIDTA maintains a large GIS database for the region. Through partnerships with federal, state and local GIS data providers, the W/B HIDTA is able to acquire highly accurate raster and vector datasets, including digital aerial imagery. The Mapping Unit also possesses the computer software, hardware and expertise necessary to produce map products that maximize the usefulness of this data in law enforcement. Crime mapping assistance is provided at no cost to the initiatives or agency. The unit provides various levels of support depending on the needs of the particular agency. To some agencies without GIS technology, the unit is the sole source for crime mapping products. Other agencies, with some resources of their own, only seek assistance for special projects or data requests. As a result the unit produces roughly 400 maps per year.

Data Sharing

The Crime Mapping Unit works closely with the W/B HIDTA initiatives and law enforcement agencies throughout the region to determine intelligence needs and gather current data on critical aspects of drug trafficking and drug-related crime activity in the W/B HIDTA region. It makes use of a wide variety of data, including UCR crime reports, police calls-for-service, and a variety of other criminal justice information, to develop maps tailored to the needs of the agency or initiative requesting them. The W/B HIDTA’s unique position in law enforcement community allows it to facilitate data sharing among neighboring jurisdictions through mutually beneficial agreements. Crime data obtained through partnering are used by the W/B HIDTA law enforcement initiatives and are also used by the unit to provide custom products for agencies throughout the region.

Crime Mapping Unit
Washington/Baltimore HIDTA
301-489-1718