Fri,Apr 24, 2009

NexGen CAD, RMS Foundation For Evidence & Intelligence Led Policing

Branford Chief John DeCarlo calls it “Casting the net, our mission is to maintain public order and we find that halting minor crimes mitigates the opportunities for higher level crime. This is so because we find and deter those criminals who would commit higher level crimes before they can take that next step”.

Chief DeCarlo stresses that the Branford PD methodology of actively preventing, rather than reacting to, crime would not be possible without the NexGen Suite of products. “Using data, we can curb quality of life crimes which our data shows often uncovers more serious criminal offenders”.

“Using NexGen’s data, in 2007 we cut traffic accidents in Branford by 50%, and we cut the overall crime rate by 5%”.

The Chief believes it starts with efficient data collection, and after knowing when, and why through NexGen’s CAD and RMS modules, “we can analyze this data, and then solve the crime issues. For example, using NexGen’s data, in 2007 we cut traffic accidents in Branford by 50%, and we cut the overall crime rate by 5%. Traffic accidents, along with minor crimes, are often key indicators of other problems that may unfold. So, we treat the information that we gather at this level with great respect”. “

We get very specific with the data we generate. Many of our traffic accidents were in a couple of geographic locations in town, and occurring at at particular time on particular days. Armed with the data on when, where and how the accidents were occurring, we were able to used focused enforcement to ameliorate to problems.” The directed patrols in several of these problem areas had the added benefit of mitigating shoplifting and other property crimes in the vicinity.”

When an accident occurs on I-95 , DeCarlo uses NexGen data to spot severe gridlock patterns on nearby roads and devise new ways to move local and highway traffic along.

Last August, Chief DeCarlo started a weekly Compstat meeting of officers and sergeants with a threefold purpose:
• Set up accountability within the department for the crimes occurring
• Look for causes
• Share ideas that could turn into solutions.

DeCarlo has formed neighborhood committees of residents and police to gather and share information to pinpoint issues before they develop into serious crimes. “We can’t do this without the data, and more importantly, you could not measure results. This in another step in our move from a reactive to a proactive policing strategy in Branford”.

“Other ways NexGen helps us in Branford is to maximize the efficiency of our calls. Nothing stops crime more than the presence of police. NexGen technology is a force multiplier, we do more with fewer people, and the data we get also lets us operate in more financially responsible ways”.