Criminal mashup
Venture capital funded real estate mashup sites, such as Zillow.com and Trulia.com, are unlikely to incorporate the type of neighborhood information mapped at citizen mashup site, phillycrime.org. The site describes itself as:
A non-profit, freely browsable database of crimes reported in Philadelphia…It is simply an alternative view of public records that are available elsewhere….designed as a public service to provide easy access to crime information. Citizens may use this site to learn when and where specific types of crime tend to occur in their neighborhood or workplace.
(The) site uses crime data collected by The University of Pennsylvania's Public Safety…The data comprises all reported incidents from the University Police Department, patrolling from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from the Schuylkill River to 43rd Street.
A search for crimes reported in West Philadelphia between March 15, 2006 and April 9, 2006, maps 105 crimes: “cell phone taken”, “disorderly conduct”, “aggravated assault”…
Do you consider local crime statistics when buying or renting housing? Join the conversation: “Talk Back” below to share your thoughts.