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Pierce County Sherif's Department - Crime Analysis and Information Unit

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The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Crime Analysis Unit has used GIS technology for the past five years to perform mapping and analysis, and has developed GIS business systems used daily by deputies and the public.

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Business Problem

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has jurisdiction over a large, unincorporated area as well as three incorporated contract cities. The Crime Analysis department’s ArcView/CountyView software is used nearly daily to produce data tables of various crime sets and identify crime hotspots. Each month, a hotspot map is sent to the chiefs of police to show at a glance where calls for service are occurring. This not only helps the sheriff deploy their resources efficiently, but helps communicate what is happening to the public in an easy to understand way.

The ArcView/CountyView package has also been instrumental in tactical issues such as warrant services, SWAT incidents, domestic terrorism, search and rescue operations, and court presentations. Orthophotos used in conjunction with GIS data have been invaluable in a wide variety of instances.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department also uses GIS technology on its business systems websites. The CrimeStar website allows deputies to search and display crime data geographically, which is a tremendous aid in crime analysis. The Sex Offender Registry is a public website that allows people to list registered sex offenders within a half-mile of a given address. Another website that uses GIS technology, the Sex Offender Verification website, has helped deputies enforce the required verification of sex offenders.

Technology Implemented

The Sheriff’s Department uses ESRI’s ArcView, Spatial Analyst, and CountyView (the county’s customized desktop GIS that is built on ArcView). The web applications make use of Cold Fusion, Internet MapObjects, ArcIMS, Java Script, and Avenue.

Development Team Biography

The lead in the development of these systems has been the Supervisor of the Crime Analysis unit. The crime analysis unit has been a leader in innovative ways to use GIS technology to solve law enforcement problems and community safety issues. Their work is supported by Pierce County GIS Services department that includes talented programmers and data technicians.

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