Butler police to use analytics

Chief says software will allow department to anticipate problems.

BUTLER TWP., MONTGOMERY

— Butler Twp.’s police COUNTY chief said the police department is acquiring crime analysis software that will help its officers be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to crime.

BAIR Analytics, a LexisNexis company based in Colorado, makes the software that includes crime mapping for law enforcement agencies.

“It gives us some accurate statistics as to exactly where the crime is occurring, where the high-risk areas are,” said Chief John Cresie. “So, instead of waiting for crimes to occur and then try to investigate it, we can be proactive. We can actually increase patrols in those hot areas where the crime is occurring and deter it from happening.”

The police department has entered into an agreement with BAIR. In order for the township to start using the software, BAIR needs to be able to pull data from the department’s report management system, according to Cresie. After that, department members need trained.

“It’s a web-based solution, completely secure, that allows agencies to map and analyze their crime data, call-forservice data and various other police data,” said Joe Ryan, BAIR’s business development specialist. The service, known as ATACRAIDS Solution, is only for law enforcement agencies.

“As soon as they set up those tables where BAIR Analytics can pull the information off our servers, in a form that they can use to create those maps, then that’s how quick we will be up and running,” Cresie said.

Cresie said he hopes the department will begin using the software in May.

The software costs approximately $5,000, which Cresie said is being provided by an anonymous donor who wanted to help the police department. The department will have to pay a subscription fee of $100 a month for this service.

“We’ll be able to identify