Digital crime mapping soon for Region Four

─ map will be displayed similar to “Google Maps” and “will be visible in real time”

─  “this crime mapping consultancy will depict spatial depictions of crimes in Region Four… citizens will be able to see a digital map that depicts where crimes are occurring based on crime data” – Min. Harmon

─  GPF’s latest report recorded a nine percent decrease in serious crimes at end of June 2018 compared to similar period last year

─  govt utilising ICT to improve the lives of citizens

DPI, Guyana, Monday, August 6, 2018

A sixteen-million-dollar (US$78,750) contract for the creation of a digital map of all the crime hotspots in Region Four, Demerara-Mahaica was given the go-ahead by Cabinet. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon informed the media today, that the contract was awarded by the Ministry of Public Security to the Consultant, Valerie Grant.

At the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, the minister said, “this crime mapping consultancy will depict spatial depictions of crimes in Region Four. The project will give serious crimes and geocode them; the occurrence of crime as per geographic locations and create communicative maps so that Guyanese citizens will be able to see a digital map that depicts where crimes are occurring based on crime data.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

The initiative, similar to services provided in other countries will assist persons to avoid becoming victims of criminal activity. The State Minister explained that the map will be displayed similar to “Google Maps” and “will be visible in real time”.

According to Minster Harmon, users will have the option to “zoom in” and access crime data such as the type of crime that occurred in a particular location at a particular time.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in its latest report, has recorded a nine percent decrease in serious crimes at the end of June 2018 compared to the similar period last year. The move towards the digital crime mapping is part of the government’s initiative to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to improve the lives of citizens via the use of state-of-the-art technology.

By: Paul McAdam

Image: Jameel Mohamed

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