FSU police launch mapping tool to enhance public crime awareness

The Florida State University Police Department has added another tool in the array of methods it uses to notify students, faculty, staff, parents and community members about crimes that occur on the main campus and at university facilities southwest of the main campus.

Utilizing the website CrimeReports.com, the department has begun uploading crime information that its officers have received. Visitors to the department’s website can click on the “FSU Monthly Crime Mapping” link to be quickly taken to the CrimeReports site. Using easy-to-understand icons, that site maps crimes that have occurred on the Florida State University campus employing user-specified date ranges, crime types and other definable parameters. In addition, the CrimeReports site can display locations of registered sex offenders in the areas near campus, with the ability to highlight basic information on those individuals.

“This tool is a fantastic weapon in the fight against crime on campus,” said FSU Police Chief David Perry. “Clearly, when we can provide our community with easy-to-use data and timely information about what has occurred on campus, they, in turn, can use this information to make sound decisions concerning safety. We hope that people will visit this site often to keep informed and, when possible, provide information about crimes, should they be able to help out.”

“Each time we can shed light on offenses that occur on campus, we create an environment that makes it more difficult for criminals to operate,” added Maj. Jim Russell, assistant chief of the FSU Police Department. “An empowered campus is a safer campus.”

The site has been live since July 12, and visitors can access it by visiting the department’s website at www.police.fsu.edu. The “FSU Monthly Crime Reports” link is located on the top of the left-side navigation bar.