The Seattle Police Department has launched a new online crime map to give residents a quick, easy way to see the kinds of crimes committed in their neighborhoods, reports the Seattle Times. The map features a collection of icons – a fist represents an assault, while a can of spray paint indicates a graffiti call, for example – which, when clicked on, provide a general description of the offense, when and where it occurred and a “general offense” number that can be used to request a redacted copy of the original police report.
Sex crimes and domestic-violence incidents are not included out of a desire to protect victims. Incidents are posted approximately 12 hours after they occur. The map can be viewed at http://web1.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx. Police have posted reports online for robberies, burglaries, aggravated assaults and homicides at http://web1.seattle.gov/police/records/PoliceReports/ (requires online registration).