Leveraging GIS for Data-Driven Crime Prevention in St. Louis: A Modern Policing Approach

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) tackled bold and frequent crimes through a geographic approach to policing, leveraging GIS technology to map crime patterns and allocate resources efficiently. Beginning with paper maps and pushpins, the department transitioned to enterprise-scale GIS tools, enabling its 2,000-member force to access real-time, location-based intelligence.

Interactive dashboards and crime mapping applications created by the Crime Analysis Unit inform patrol plans, guide resource allocation, and aid investigations. One application consolidates field interview data and suspect information, allowing officers to track frequent locations and aliases effectively. Another compares crime patterns with police activity, ensuring resources align with high-crime areas.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the team expanded GIS capabilities to adapt to shifts in crime trends, focusing on domestic violence and overdoses. Dashboards integrated pandemic-related crime data and helped police adjust strategies. These tools now orient officers for daily briefings and long-term planning, contributing to public safety and the revitalization of downtown St. Louis.