Developing a Crime Mapping GIS System For Law Enforcement: A Case Study of Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the use of GIS in the development of a crime analysis information system for the Nigeria police. In recent times, criminality has been on the increase with criminals using new and more sophisticated ways to commit crime; resulting to fear and restlessness among the citizens. They police have found it difficult to manage and control these crimes largely due to the obsolete methods and resources they employ in doing so. The purpose of this study is to see how the Nigerian Police Force can adopt the use of crime maps in its operations and reap the benefits. The system will help the police in the analysis of crimes which will lead to crime hotspots identification. Using ArcGIS Software 10.0, we created a digital land use map of crime hotspots in the area and a crime-geospatial database. The results of the spatial analysis and a 500m buffering done on the data shows that areas that are more vulnerable to crime, have no police stations situated around them. This study shows that a GIS based Information system will give the police better insights into crime mapping and analysis which will be a tool to help them effectively manage and combat crime. This study recommends full government involvement in the area of human personnel and infrastructure development for the police to effectively change from the traditional to GIS based ways of combating crime.