For this week’s techscan, I wanted to pick something that journalists would be able to use when writing stories. Again on 10,000 Words (everyone should go to this site!) I found extensive articles and blogs on making maps for your website. I really love 10,000 Words because it directs you to sites that teach you ways to improve your own (news)websites.
The map that I found really useful for journalists was created by Statmen Design and is an interactive site called San Francisco CrimeSpotter . The site works like any Google map but allows you to narrow down your search of crimes in the city to day, hour, type of crime, commute/nightlife. They have covered just about every category you would want to search. The creators of the site do say, however, that the site is not affiliated with the San Francisco Police Department. With this being said, I still think it would be great for journalists to use if they were looking for a story.
For example, last Friday, there were four thefts, three narcotics incidents, a robbery and a simple assault all occurring in a small radius of the city. Were any of these events related? Or caused by the same person? This area of town might a) not be a place to hang out in or b) a place to find a great story. It could also indicate a lower SES section or locations that lend themselves to more crimes. I think this site would be great for every major city to have, not only for journalists, but for people looking to move to that city.
The problems I have with this website are first, that it is not affiliated with the Police Department. Where and how is this site updated without help from the PD? This makes me question the credibility of the creators of the site. Also, once the site is running for a while, having multiple layers added. One map could show economic demographics, bus stops or bars that may encourage crime, and finally archive these events over a couple years. This way you could track the patterns of crime. Is this a new trend or has it been occurring the last twenty years. What is the reason for this trend.
I really like that this site, while probably very complex to create, is very simple for anyone to navigate. I really think it’s importance is raising questions for journalists with a nose for a good story to analyze and seek out. Also, news sites would be wise to use this tool for their own city. Anything that can inform their reading public that is interactive and easy to use will be helpful.
10,000 Words has tons of interactive maps – check them out under the “Maps” tag on the left.
