After several years of software development and programming, Sheriff Austin Garrett, HCSO’s Crime & Intelligence Analysis Unit, and Information Services and Public Relations staff announce the release of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office’s first public mobile app and online Crime Data Dashboard.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s new mobile app is free to download and provides information, real-time alerts, access to press releases and links to services to make the agency more accessible to the public.
The Sheriff’s app allows residents to search for valid warrants, request an incident report, deposit money for inmates and submit anonymous tips, including to schools. The new app also allows citizens to download the annual report, view the department’s operating policies and procedures, learn about the Citizens Academy and DARE program, view a contact directory of key county departments and access other public safety information.
The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple or Android stores by searching for “Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee.”
The new and unique crime data dashboard is also free and is updated every 24 hours. The dashboard provides information on police calls based specifically on incident reports. The information displays general incident statistics as well as charts and graphs that visually represent current and historical crime trends.
While many agencies provide general statistics upon request, this new Public Crime Data Dashboard offers citizens the opportunity to view data broken down by crimes against persons, property and society 24/7.
When using the new dashboard, citizens can select any area of the county in the unincorporated areas where they would like to see crime data using a map, street address, or zip code, depending on their preference. The information is then mapped to the block area where the incident occurred. After searching, the user will initially see hotspots on the map, but if they zoom in, they can see crime by type. The data displayed includes incident reports taken in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County. However, some incidents may be visible within the jurisdiction of a local municipality (e.g. Chattanooga Police Department) as HCSO personnel may have been the primary law enforcement agency responding to that particular incident or creating a report.
Crime data can be selected by year or by specific month ranges. The user can use the tabs in the bottom left corner of the page to navigate to different data categories and filters.
The final tab, “About the Data,” provides users with information on how the numbers are managed, what types of crimes are included in the categories, and any specific disclaimers our citizens need to be aware of when using this important tool. This new dashboard also serves as a resource for local real estate agents and families looking to move or relocate to Hamilton County, showing what types of crimes are occurring in different neighborhoods.
“As your Sheriff, I am committed to utilizing a data-driven approach to improve our law enforcement operations,” said Sheriff Garrett. “Our new app and online crime dashboard will increase transparency and provide the public with accurate and timely information about our services and crime incidents in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County. I am proud of our HCSO employees, especially those in Information Services, Crime Analyst Unit and Public Relations, for their dedication to implementing these two valuable initiatives. Our agency’s commitment to providing top-notch law enforcement services is a testament to why your Sheriff’s Office is a leader.”
The online public crime data dashboard can be accessed at https://www.hcsheriff.gov/crimedashboard.
Please note that any data retrieved from the app or Crime Dashboard is subject to change depending on the investigation, case history, or delays in the reporting process. For example, lab results may take several months to be available and may play an important role in bringing charges against a suspect, particularly in sex offenses or drug offenses.
