August 11, 2023
Changes to the immediate updates schedule of CrimeIndex
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This Support Announcement describes changes to the immediate update schedule of CrimeIndex.
Background
CrimeIndex uses the most robust, publicly available crime dataset in the US - the annual Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) data produced by the FBI. The UCR is a nationwide, cooperative statistical effort of more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies voluntarily reporting data on crimes. The UCR administrative records are the most nationally representative crime data that are publicly available.
Since its 2019 release, the CrimeIndex methodology evolved to include the use of crime incident data collated from over 30 law enforcement agencies. With these granular data a foundational database of crime incidents was built to gain further insight into crime patterns in urban areas.
What's changing
A change in how the FBI requires agencies to report crimes in 2021 (from the established Summary Reporting System to the new, more detailed National Incident Based Reporting System) has led to a significant decrease in agency participation. Only 63% of the18,000 law enforcement agencies submitted data for 2021, compared to between 80% and 90% over the past two decades.
Although it is expected that agency participation rates will recover, poor reporting rates mean that the validity of any analysis using the latest data is negatively impacted.
Product impact
As a result of this transition, Precisely Data Product Management has made the decision not to provide an updated CrimeIndex product for 2023. An evaluation of the introduction of incomplete data to the product showed that this resulted in biased spatial crime scores.
Precisely will monitor the UCR data coverage and provide further communication of changes in the CrimeIndex release timetable.
Contact Information
If you would like technical assistance, please contact the Precisely Global Support team at Precisely Support
Any questions relating to this announcement can be directed to:
Andy Peloe
Director of Data Product Management
Andrew.peloe@precisely.com
