Boston Crime revamped
By adamg - 1/2/06 - 12:54 pm
This time, I'm going to try to update Boston Crime on a daily basis, using data from BPDNews.com.
It's finally in a MySQL database (note for Movable Type geeks: I'm using Movable Type and the CustomFields plug-in, which lets you add extra fields to MT's defaults), so maybe now I can concentrate on making the whole thing a lot more like ChicagoCrime.org. So far, I have violent crimes from all of 2006 mapped (yes, both days' worth) - kind of depressing: five shootings (fortunately, none fatal) in 18 hours.
Comments
excellent work
This is just what the doctor ordered. I am all thumbs on programming so I am so excited that you are taking the time to put this stuff on the web.
What about IncidentLog
Not to discourage your efforts here, but the new version seems similar to what IncidentLog Boston is doing (without the nifty flag markers based on crime type). Their site looks better than when I saw the 'Log back in August...But, they only update weekly and from the BPD's releases...and no running blog-type titles, but they do have category searches. You can even spot crime in Waltham or Natick.
The more the merrier
Just checked them and their most recent incident is from 12/22. Also, their data's entirely from BPD (and state police?) press releases. I want to try to link in everything from media accounts to forums. Plus, OK, I admit it - I just like fooling around with Google Maps :-).