Searchable online map gives areas of latest crime activity in Toledo
5/17/2014The crashes, bangs, and booms in the night may be a mystery no more with the launch of an interactive, online Toledo police crime-mapping system.
The map, at crimemap.toledo.oh.gov, launched Thursday and lets users plug in an address and search for nearly all crimes reported within a half-mile radius within the last two months.
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Rapes and other sex-related crimes are excluded from the map to help protect the identities of victims, said police Capt. Mike Troendle.
“I think it’s going to be such a useful tool for people just to be able to go in and see what’s happening in your neighborhood or a prospective neighborhood,” said police Sgt. Joe Heffernan.
Users can submit anonymous tips using the map and can sign up for email alerts for crimes reported within a designated area.
Reported crimes are automatically uploaded to the map three times a day, coinciding with police shift changes.
The data is refreshed every day at 6 a.m., 2 p.m., and 10 p.m., the captain said.
The public map cost the department $6,200, Captain Troendle said.