Predictive Policing: Using Technology to Reduce Crime

This is an informal report about the use of software for predictive policing by the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). It is mainly based upon research in Santa Cruz, CA by George Mohler, P. Jeffrey Brantingham and Zach Friend, but also references the LAPD's use of the same software by its Foothill division.

Zach Friend is a crime analyst for the SCPD, and took the initiative to try out the software in Santa Cruz. Dr. George Mohler, Santa Clara University, California, and Dr. P. Jeffrey Brantingham, University of California at Los Angeles, California, developed the algorithm (mathematical model) used. The software is now commercially available as PredPol.