Using GIS as a tool in police and community relations in a community problem solving model

The research reported here was designed to examine the value and the usability of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide information to and obtain input from community groups. There are many examples of governments, private agencies and police agencies using GIS mapping technology to analyze and illustrate data. Noticeably absent from the literature are examples of follow up with the community. Specifically, agencies do not use the geographic information systems to secure information or to explain decisions based on the GIS analysis of data. This thesis suggests that GIS are tools by which police agencies and community groups can demonstrate issues, share information, and discuss neighborhood concerns and thus engage in participatory problem solving.;In the thesis uses of GIS were demonstrated to residents who attended a typical neighborhood meeting. Residents and police were shown how GIS can map crimes in relation to known locations such as schools or parks. Residents were shown how GIS maps can be adapted to their particular needs, such as mapping general locations of group members to see where membership recruitment might be helpful.;This thesis describes a case study in which following a series of GIS demonstrations community residents were surveyed to assess the usefulness of the GIS program. Additionally, the completed case study was intended to provide police agencies with clear information about the ways in which this tool is or is not helpful in communicating with neighborhood groups. Finally, the research elicited suggestions from the participants about implementation and improvements from the use of GIS in this manner.