I'd like to invite everyone to participate in the 29th Annual Nation Night Out celebration. This year's event is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 7. National Night Out is designed to generate participation in crime prevention programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that their neighborhood is organized and watching out for one another.
Neighborhood groups or individuals interested in holding an event that evening should call (218) 722-7178.
We continue to try different approaches to notify the public about crime and crime trends in their neighborhood. About 16 years ago, we developed a crime line allowing residents to call and listen to recent crime events in their neighborhood. Shortly after starting the crime line (and with the help of a tech-savvy block watch captain), we developed one of the first Internet-related crime notification systems on the web. That lasted a short time due to a job change for the block captain.
Technology continues to help policing. Crime mapping and crime analysis have become an integral part of a successful policing plan. The Duluth Police Department has been utilizing crime mapping for some time, and it has proven to be extremely helpful in seeing trends and identifying crime hot spots. While crime mapping has been around for generations (the old way utilized push pin maps), today it's done with the touch of a few buttons on a computer. Every day we receive updates on where things are happening and we deploy resources accordingly.
So how can the public access this data to see what crime trends are occurring in their area? From your own computer you are able to log into our system and see what activity has happened near you over a chosen time period. You can zoom in and out to get a clearer picture of what is happening around you. You can sign up for e-mail notifications when something occurs in your neighborhood. Visit http://www.crimemapping.com/Map.aspx?aid=6577d028-06f6-4c98-81c2-822ab99...
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We've had a Duluth Police Department Facebook page since 2008. Check it out and "like" us. Thousands have and it's growing daily. Watch it for regular updates. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duluth-MN/Duluth-Minnesota-Police-Departme...
I began a blog late last year and write regular updates on their as well. Check it out at http:// squadone.blogspot.com
Gordon Ramsay is chief of police for the city of Duluth.
