Wilmington posts crime stats online

Wilmington residents can now track crime in their neighborhoods with data posted on the city website on Monday. 

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Police Chief Robert J. Tracy announced that "data-driven performance measurements" will be posted every week at WilmingtonDE.gov.

"Whatever we achieve as a city to improve public safety has to be done through the efforts of the community, which is why everyone should know from a statistical standpoint where we stand and what we need to do to improve," Purzycki said in a statement. 

Reports released on Monday include a year-end summary for 2017, a year that broke records for both shootings and homicides, and a report for the period ending Feb. 4.

The data show that in the past week and the past month, almost all crime is down compared to the same time period last year. There have been five shooting victims since Jan. 1 compared to 23 this time last year. 

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The weekly reports include a look at weekly statistics, monthly statistics, and year-to-date comparisons. They are available at http://bit.ly/2BqAONB.

Tracy said crime reporting, statistical analysis and information-sharing are central components of modern-day policing. They are the core concepts of CompStat, a methodology that allows law enforcement officials to track data and provide "greater levels of accountability, focus, and follow-up," he said. 

“Most importantly, the data will support efficient, targeted policing across the city for all residents and visitors,” Tracy said. 

“The compiled statistical data is also used as a management tool for reducing crime, improving procedures and training, and providing transparency to the public and city government."

The new reports include up-to-date crime statistics in seven major crime categories on a citywide and police district level, the city said. The categories include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, and auto theft. 

Contact Christina Jedra at (302) 324-2837, cjedra@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.